4 Teens Arrested After Carmel Traffic Stop Reveals Guns, Marijuana

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Four teenagers were arrested in Carmel, Indiana, after a traffic stop led to the discovery of marijuana and several firearms, including a handgun that had been illegally modified into a fully automatic machine gun. The stop occurred shortly after midnight on February 18, 2026, with five teenagers in the vehicle. Three juveniles and one adult were taken into custody and face multiple charges related to the illegal weapons and drugs.

Why it matters

The presence of firearms, especially modified automatic weapons, in the hands of juveniles is a serious public safety concern for the Carmel community. This incident highlights the dangerous situations law enforcement officers can encounter during routine traffic stops and the need for continued efforts to keep illegal guns off the streets.

The details

During the traffic stop, deputies recovered firearms equipped with high-capacity magazines, including 30-round magazines and a 50-round drum. One of the pistols had been illegally modified with a 'switch,' a device that converts a handgun into a fully automatic weapon. The investigation led to the arrest of four of the five occupants, including three juveniles, on preliminary charges such as possession of a machine gun, dangerous possession of a firearm by a juvenile, dealing marijuana, and possession of marijuana.

• The traffic stop occurred shortly after midnight on February 18, 2026.

What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for the adult suspect, and the juvenile suspects will face proceedings in the juvenile justice system.