Auburn Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Wanted Leicester Man

By: Laura Soukkavong

Auburn – A morning traffic stop on Oct. 4, led to the arrest of a Leicester man who was wanted on outstanding warrants, including a Massachusetts parole violation and a separate and another case involving the U.S. Marshals Service.

According to police, Sgt. Gregg Wildman observed a black Acura traveling at high speed as it exited the Massachusetts Turnpike onto Southbridge Street at about 6:35 a.m.

After checking the vehicle’s registration and learning that the registered owner’s driver’s license was suspended, Sgt. Wildman located the vehicle on West Street and initiated a traffic stop. Officers subsequently arrested the driver for operating with a suspended licnese.

During the stop, the front-seat passenger told officers he held a Maine Driver’s license with him and provided officers with a name that investigators later determined was false.

Police identified the passenger as 30-year-old Connor Ferguson of Leicester, who was wanted on an outstanding Massachusetts Parole Board violation warrant. Officers also discovered that Ferguson was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service in connection with an unrelated case originating in Maine.

Ferguson has a prior manslaughter conviction stemming from a fatal shooting in Worcester in 2015. In 2018, he was sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty in connection of the death of an 18-year-old man.

Police credited, Sgt. Wildman, Officer Porcaro, and Officer Ortiz for their work during the incident.

The encounter highlights how a routine traffic stop can lead to the discovery of outstanding warrants and other significant law enforcement matters.