Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Aaron Freeze, 30, of Danbury, Connecticut, on a felony weapons charge following a traffic stop in the Town of Patterson.
On August 12, 2026, at approximately 7:06 p.m., Putnam County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Trupia observed a vehicle traveling in the Putnam Lake area with an expired registration and an obstructed license plate. During the traffic stop investigation, it was determined that the vehicle’s registration was expired and that the vehicle did not have valid insurance. Freeze subsequently advised deputies on scene that there was a handgun inside the vehicle.
Deputies recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun from the passenger-side floor area of the vehicle. Freeze did not possess a New York State pistol permit or any other valid pistol permit.
Freeze was taken into custody and transported to the Putnam County Correctional Facility for processing. He was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony, and was issued an appearance ticket directing him to appear in the Town of Patterson Justice Court at a later date.
Freeze was also issued multiple traffic tickets, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.
