A Herkimer County woman was arrested after a traffic stop in the Town of New Hartford, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol announced on April 7.
The case involves public safety and gun control concerns, as law enforcement found an illegal firearm during the incident.
According to Maciol, on April 3 at about 10:57 p.m., a Sheriff’s DWI Patrol unit observed several vehicle and traffic violations involving a 2015 Dodge Ram traveling southeasterly on State Route 840. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Hannah Coffin, age 26, from Poland, New York. During the stop, the deputy noticed signs of impairment. Field sobriety tests were administered and led to Coffin’s arrest. Further investigation uncovered an illegal AR-15 style unserialized “ghost gun” rifle inside the truck, which was seized by authorities.
Coffin was transported to the Sheriff’s Office where she was charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) and other traffic infractions. She also faces charges of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree—a Class A misdemeanor—because the rifle’s frame or receiver did not have a serial number. Additionally, a Sheriff’s Investigator charged her with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Possession of an Assault Weapon), which is classified as a Class D felony due to features such as a detachable magazine and other assault rifle components found on the weapon.
After processing at headquarters, Coffin was held for arraignment at CAP Court where bail was set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in New Hartford Town Court at a later date.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to address impaired driving and illegal firearms possession.