A Mahopac man who prosecutors say pointed a loaded handgun at a school bus carrying three special-needs children bound for Scarsdale has been indicted on nine felony counts.

Michael Alarcon, 20, was arraigned Wednesday, July 15, in Westchester County Court before Judge Melissa Loehr, the Westchester County District Attorney's office announced. He faces two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree menacing, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

The charges trace back to Wednesday, Feb. 4, on the southbound Taconic State Parkway near Exit 3 in Mount Pleasant. A yellow school bus carrying a bus monitor and three children with special needs — two 3-year-olds and one 4-year-old — had been picked up in the Peekskill area and was headed to a Scarsdale school. After the bus changed from the left lane into the center lane, a Toyota Corolla pulled alongside it.

Prosecutors allege Alarcon pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the bus driver. The weapon was equipped with a green laser, which authorities said was aimed directly at the driver.

The bus driver exited the Taconic at the nearest opportunity, fearing for the children's safety, and reported the incident to New York State Police.

Troopers located Alarcon driving on the Taconic later that same day during a traffic stop conducted under the Westchester County DA's D.A.S.H. (District Attorney's Safer Highways) initiative. Investigators found he was driving with a suspended license. A search of his vehicle turned up a loaded Walther P22 .22-caliber handgun with a green laser and weapon-mounted light inside a duffel bag on the front passenger seat. The firearm had a round in the chamber, multiple rounds in the magazine, and a defaced serial number, according to the DA's office.

At the time of Alarcon's February arrest, District Attorney Susan Cacace said: "What happened on the Taconic Wednesday morning, as alleged, could have easily become every parent's worst nightmare. Loaded guns and uncontrolled road rage have absolutely no place on our public highways, let alone near school buses carrying our most precious resource."

Cacace also credited the bus driver's composure for keeping the three children physically unharmed.

Alarcon remains free on bail. He pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges at his initial February arraignment in Mount Pleasant Justice Court, where bail was set at $45,000 cash, $75,000 bond, or $175,000 partially secured bond. He did not enter a plea on the felony counts at that time.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Petrullo of the DA's Northern Westchester Branch and was investigated by New York State Police.

Alarcon is due back in Westchester County Court on Wednesday, Oct. 14.