LUFKIN, Texas — An Angelina County Sheriff's deputy arrested a woman Wednesday suspected of engaging in multi-national arms smuggling.
Jahtaya O'Day Jah-Kiara Hamilton, originally from Ontario, Canada, is currently in the Angelina County Jail after being detained for possession of a prohibited weapon.
Hamilton was a passenger in a Lyft ride that was pulled over for speeding. Upon the discovery of a marijuana odor within the car, the deputy searched the vehicle, finding two large bags in the trunk.
Hamilton claimed both bags belonged to her, and upon a search, officials found 20 handguns, magazines, ammunition and a short barrel rifle. Multiple pistols found in the bags were reported stolen within the Houston area. It is both a state and federal felony to have a short barrel rifle.
Deputies determined Hamilton had flown into Houston, obtained the guns, and was planning to bring them back to Canada. The Lyft ride was supposed to take her to Little Rock.
It is unknown where she acquired the guns.
Both Hamilton and the guns are awaiting the arrival of federal authorities form the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who will also aid the deputies in the investigation.
The Lyft driver was cited and released.
“The discovery of these stolen weapons has obviously prevented them from falling into the hands of criminals and street gangs," Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman said. "Lives probably have been saved by these guns not finding their way to cites somewhere in the U.S. or Canada. Illegal arms are valuable commodities and command large sums of money outside the U.S. and pose a clear danger to both civilians and law enforcement officers.”
CBS19 is available live and on-demand on your favorite TV streaming device, anytime from anywhere in the U.S.
The free CBS19+ app for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and smart TV devices features a 24/7 stream with the latest from CBS19.
In addition to the live stream, watch the latest from CBS19 on-demand, along with additional programming from our partners at TEGNA (like Verify, "Murder at My Door" and "In the News") and Locked On Sports, plus special collections from CBS19 like Under the Lights, Hooked on East Texas and CBS19 Originals.
DOWNLOAD ON ROKU
Add the free CBS19 channel by searching for CBS19 East Texas News in the Roku Channel Store on your device, or add the CBS19+ Roku channel using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON FIRE TV
Search for the free CBS19+ app in the Amazon App Store directly on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, or add the CBS19+ Fire TV app using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON APPLE TV
Learn more about the free CBS19+ app in the Apple TV App Store and download directly from your Apple TV device.
DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART TV
The CBS19+ app is also now available directly on "smart" or "connected" televisions made by Samsung, LG and Philips, as well as televisions with Android TV. Search for CBS19 East Texas News in your television's app store to add CBS19+.
OTHER FREE WAYS TO WATCH
The CBS19+ 24/7 stream can be viewed on any desktop or mobile web browser anytime on the Watch page here on cbs19.tv.