(Wilmington, DE 19802) On Monday, July 6, 2026, at approximately 5:50 p.m., patrol officers with the New Castle County Division of Police were in the area of Governor Printz Boulevard and East Lea Boulevard when they observed an individual operating an electric scooter commit a traffic violation. Officers conducted a traffic stop and identified the operator as 18-year-old Taron Pearce of Wilmington.

During the traffic stop, officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number, approximately 153 grams of marijuana, and a digital scale from property in Pearce’s possession.

Pearce was taken into custody without incident, transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, and charged with:

• One felony count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• One felony count of Possession with Intent to Deliver
• One felony count of Possession of a Weapon with an Obliterated Serial Number
• One felony count of Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
• One misdemeanor count of Possession of Marijuana
• One traffic violation for the Unlawful Operation of a Motorized Scooter on a Public Highway

Pearce was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $45,525 cash bail.

Taron Pearce – 18