Texas Trucker Busted On Mackinac Bridge With Rolling Arsenal
A routine traffic stop on the Mackinac Bridge turned into a much larger investigation last Wednesday after a motor-carrier officer pulled over a semi-truck that was reportedly speeding and driving in a hazardous manner. When troopers searched the trailer, they say they discovered a large cache of weapons and other contraband. The driver, a 54-year-old man from Texas, was taken into custody without incident. He was arraigned the following day and released on a personal recognizance bond, with a court date scheduled for April 10.
According to police, troopers seized numerous weapons and other items during the stop, including five loaded pistols, one loaded rifle, a shotgun, 15 double-edged knives, a double-edged sword, and two sets of brass knuckles. Authorities also reported finding two open containers of alcohol in the truck’s cab. Investigators said an inspection of the truck’s records revealed that the electronic logging device records had been falsified, and troopers stated that the driver did not possess a concealed pistol license. Michigan State Police said they are pursuing additional charges related to the vehicle and its records. The Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Ignace Police Department assisted in the investigation.
The Mackinac Bridge carries Interstate 75 across the Straits of Mackinac and has strict rules governing heavy, oversized, and high-profile commercial vehicles. These vehicles often require staging procedures and special permits before crossing. Because of those requirements and the potential safety risks, motor-carrier officers regularly patrol the five-mile suspension bridge. The Mackinac Bridge Authority maintains regulations for drivers and commercial trucks designed to reduce hazards for vehicles traveling across the span.
The driver was arraigned last Thursday in Mackinac County’s 92nd District Court on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon and was released on personal recognizance. His next court appearance is set for April 10. Authorities said falsifying or tampering with electronic logging device records can lead to civil penalties, out-of-service orders, and other enforcement actions under federal hours-of-service regulations. Prosecutors and troopers have not released the driver’s name, and the investigation remains ongoing. Officials say additional charges may be filed as the case develops. Troopers confirmed that the case will return to Mackinac County court on April 10. The incident has drawn attention because of both the number of weapons recovered and the allegedly falsified commercial records discovered during the investigation.
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