A Lancaster city man was convicted Monday of having an illegal, loaded pistol in March when a neighbor called 911 over gunshots.

Sidney L. Waters, now 20, was found guilty at a non-jury trial on two felony firearms violations: illegal concealed-carry, and having a gun with an altered serial number.

At an evidence hearing prior to the trial, Lancaster County Judge Donald Totaro ruled that city police were justified in stopping and frisking Waters on March 5, when a resident of New Dorwart Street reported hearing five gunshots and seeing three males run away.

City police Officer Ben Bradley was in the area and stopped the males; two of them, including Waters, had guns.

Waters’ loaded .380 semiautomatic pistol had a serial number that was filed off. Also, he was ineligible to have a concealed-carry permit because he was only 19.

A 17-year-old male also had a gun; he was prosecuted in juvenile court.

Waters, at Lancaster County Prison on $125,000 bail, will be sentenced in December.

Lancaster County Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson prosecuted the case.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us