DUNKIRK — A Dunkirk man, a two-time convicted felon found early Saturday morning with an illegally possessed and loaded handgun, is facing a number of charges.

Dunkirk police report around 1:46 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle in area of Lake Shore Drive West and Pike Street.

The operator, identified as Byron Oaks Jr. of 717 Central Ave., apartment 17, was charged with operating a vehicle with a suspended registration. A subsequent search of Oaks located an illegally possessed and loaded .40-caliber handgun. Oaks, due to his status as convicted felon, cannot legally possess a pistol or obtain a pistol permit in the State of New York.

He was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon as a loaded firearm; third-degree criminal possession of a weapon due to previous felony conviction; second-degree governmental obstruction and additional traffic violations.

Oaks was transported to Dunkirk Police Headquarters where he was held pending arraignment.