Police: Beacon Man Was Driving with Unregistered Gun, Car, and Fake ID

Putnam County Police say a 20-year-old Beacon man who was behind the wheel of an unregistered car while using a false identity was found to be in possession of an unregistered fully loaded weapon.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith, Deputy Sheriff Brian Aisenstat pulled over a driver for traffic violations in the Town of Philipstown. The suspects unregistered vehicle was last registered in the State of Delaware, but the car had Ohio license plates, which belonged to another vehicle.

The deputy later determined the driver provided him with a driver's license bearing the name of a another person and allegedly verbally represented himself with that false identity. The suspected was later identified as 20-year-old Tavon S. Luster, from Beacon.

While conducting a search of the vehicle, an unregistered fully loaded 9mm semiautomatic pistol was found underneath the driver seat. Police allege the weapon had a 13 round magazine with an additional round in the chamber and the safety off. Police say Luster admitted the gun belonged to him and he had been in possession of it for over a year.

Luster was charged with 2nd-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony and unlawful possession of certain ammunition feeding devices, a misdemeanor. In addition, he was charged with 3rd-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle
and 2nd- degree criminal impersonation, both misdemeanors. Luster also received a number of traffic violations and a violation for operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Luster was committed to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000.00 cash bail or $50,000.00 bond pending a future appearance in the Town of Philipstown Justice Court.

If found guilty of the felony charge, the defendant could face up to fifteen years in a New York State Correctional Facility and a fine of up to $15,000.00.