Athens County OH- On 11/4/20 Athens County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction units conducted a traffic stop on US RTE 33 near The Plains for moving violations. Upon contact with the driver, deputies observed multiple criminal indicators and conflicting stories between all passengers. Consent to search the vehicle was given, and deputies recovered two (2) loaded handguns. Units ran the serial numbers on the firearms and determined one had been entered as stolen by the Columbus Police Department. Deputies additionally recovered suspected MDMA on the driver. Aaron J. Hughes, age 19 of Columbus was arrested for having Weapons Under Disability, a felony of the 3rd degree, Improper Handling of a Firearm and Receiving Stolen Property, both felonies of the 4th degree. A rear seat passenger, Ronald E. Vaughn was arrested for Improper Handling of a Firearm and Receiving Stolen Property, both felonies of the 4th degree. Additional charges for Aggravated Possession of Drugs are expected pending lab results.
