BEATRICE, Neb. - A traffic stop in Beatrice led to the arrest of a registered sex offender on weapons charges.

According to Beatrice Police, an officer on night patrol stopped a multicolored van around 8:00 p.m. Saturday after observing traffic violations. The vehicle was registered to Cody Haynes, who authorities say did not have a valid driver’s license and only possessed an identification card.

After the stop, Haynes consented to a search of the vehicle. Police say Haynes informed officers there was a knife inside the van. The officer located a green-handled fixed-blade knife hidden behind the vehicle’s radio. The blade measured approximately four and a half inches and was stored in a black plastic sheath.

Haynes told officers the knife did not belong to him and claimed it had been left behind by someone he previously gave a ride to.

Police later confirmed through NCIC that Haynes is a registered sex offender and a convicted felon, which made possession of the knife illegal.

Haynes was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Gage County Jail, for booking.