And a father is also on remand at the prison after he was caught with a gun loaded with three live rounds. 45-year-old Ernie Zelaya was arraigned on two offenses of kept unlicensed firearm and kept unlicensed ammunition after he was busted with a.380 pistol.
In court, he pleaded guilty to both charges, but he told the court that the reason he had the firearm was because he was in fear for his life and that of his family's. He explained that he had already been beaten up and chased out of his own yard by a gang member who lives there, and that the police officers found him asleep in his car.
The officers were on patrol when they noted a vehicle on the Phillip Goldson Highway with no headlights. Once they searched the car, they found the firearm under the driver's seat.
Due to the nature of the offenses, no bail could be granted and he was remanded into custody until August 24th.
