Police reports: Man caught with switched license plates held by ICE

A Shirley man faces a forgery charge and possible deportation following a traffic stop in Northampton Friday night, according to Southampton Town police.

Pernell Mitchell, 45, of Flintlock Drive in Shirley was stopped by police for failing to maintain his lane of travel on County Road 51 in Northampton. A Department of Motor Vehicles check revealed that he had switched license plates and that his car was uninsured, unregistered and uninspected, according to police.

Mr. Mitchell also had altered his driver’s license and there was a Immigration and Customs Enforcement warrant out for him, police said. Town police did not know the specifics of the ICE warrant and an ICE spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment, but police said such warrants generally involve deportation.

Mr. Mitchell was charged with second-degree forgery as well as violations for having an uninsured and unregistered car, police said.

• A cellphone violation led to a drunk driving charge for a Riverside man Sunday.

After Hector Garcia, 31, of Maynard Avenue in Riverside was stopped for talking on his cellphone while driving Sunday afternoon on County Road 104 in Riverside, it was discovered that his driver’s license was suspended and that he was intoxicated, according to police.

He was charged with DWI and violations for prohibited use of a cellphone and unlicensed operation, police said.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.