At approximately 2:16 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, officers assigned to District B-3 (Mattapan) conducted a traffic stop in the area of 37 Harvard Street after observing a motor vehicle operating with a defective headlight.
During the stop, officers observed the front-seat passenger wearing a ski mask and a ballistic vest. Further investigation determined that the operator had a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant for his arrest. As a result, he was placed under arrest, and a motor vehicle inventory search was conducted.
During the inventory search, officers located a firearm and a stun gun inside a bag within the vehicle. The firearm was secured, and both occupants were taken into custody without incident. Detectives assigned to District B-3 responded to photograph and process the scene. The firearm recovered was identified as a Glock 43X, loaded with ten rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Justin Frederick Williams, 35, of Dorchester, was placed under arrest and charged with the following offenses:
• Carrying a firearm without a license (third offense)
• Possession of ammunition without an FID card (subsequent offense)
• Possession of a large-capacity feeding device
• Use of body armor in the commission of a felony
• Carrying a stun gun without a license
• Armed Career Criminal, firearm violation with three prior violent or drug convictions
The operator of the vehicle, Darnell Buffong, 42, of Mattapan, was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and was also found to have an active arrest warrant for operating an uninsured and unregistered motor vehicle and operating with a suspended registration. He was issued a Massachusetts Uniform Citation for the motor vehicle violation.
Both individuals are expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.