Rhode Island Man Arrested For 41st Offense In Two States

The arrest of Brandon Hayes, 30, in Rhode Island may have seemed like a routine traffic stop and possession case until police officers checked his record. Hayes had succeeded in racking up his 41st arrest in two states. That is 38 arrests in Massachusetts and two in Rhode Island including gun and drug charges. The case is a prototypical example of habitual offender in the criminal justice system.

Hayes was a passenger in the vehicle stopped for traffic violations. The trooper said that he smelled marijuana and found three bags of marijuana on his person. The trooper also said that Hayes removed a loaded handgun from his waist and put it under the passenger seat when the car was pulled over. A 9mm pistol was recovered. Drug packaging material was also found in the car.

Hayes was only released recently after serving 18 months behind bars for a 2012 assault conviction.

These charges could bring 10 years. What is clear is that his record will militate heavily toward a maximum conviction.