Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

Governor’s Task Force Detectives Arrest Felon for Felony Gun Charges

Date Posted: Friday, November 17th, 2023

Smith

The Delaware State Police arrested 32-year-old Christian Smith, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for felony gun charges after a traffic stop in Newark.

On November 15, 2023, at approximately 1:59 a.m., members of the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force were patrolling the area of Churchmans Road in Newark, which is an area where concerned residents have reported frequent drug use, violent crimes, and other quality of life issues. Detectives observed a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee with Pennsylvania registration enter the parking lot of Royal Farms located at 457 Stanton Christiana Road. A computer inquiry of the tag revealed the registration was fictitious. As detectives prepared to approach the Jeep for the registration violation, the driver, later identified as Christian Smith, exited the SUV and entered the Royal Farms. Detectives entered the store and made contact with Smith, who was standing at the rear of the front counter by the lighters. Smith initially ignored verbal commands given to him by detectives. After complying with verbal commands, Smith pulled away from detectives as he was being detained and ran out of the Royal Farms towards the wooded area behind the building. Smith was ultimately taken into custody in the wooded area after taser deployments were utilized.

During an inventory search of the Jeep, detectives located a magazine with multiple rounds. Detectives also recovered a loaded handgun that was found hidden behind a cardboard box on the counter where Smith had been standing as detectives approached him.

A computer inquiry revealed Smith is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He was taken to Troop 2 and charged with the following crimes:

Possession of a Firearm by a Person Previously Convicted of Two Violent Felonies (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
Resisting Arrest
Fictious or Canceled Registration

Smith was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $42,100 cash bond.