A 27-year-old Venezuelan national will be spending the next two years in prison after admitting to charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
It was alleged that Jesus Rodriguez, on October 7th, at Dukwari Backdam, Cuyuni River, had in his possession a .38 revolver without being the holder of a firearm license at the time.
It was also alleged that on the same date, he had in his possession three .38 rounds of ammunition, without being the holder of a firearm license at the time.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the charges.
Two other charges alleged that on October 7th, Rodriguez also had in his possession a Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol and 17 live 9mm rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a firearm license at the time.
Rodriguez denied these allegations.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones related to the court that the accused was at Dukwari Backdam, where he rented a room. On the day in question, the owner of the hotel complained to two supernumerary constables that the defendant was firing shots in the building. They conducted a search on his person and found a .38 revolver with three matching rounds in the chamber.
The accused, through an interpreter, told the court that he was drinking with others and celebrating. He related that it was normal to fire off shots to celebrate in Venezuela. The man further stated that he came to Guyana to retrieve money that was owed to him. Rodriguez even admitted to buying an illegal firearm without having a licence.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan then sentenced Rodriguez to two years’ imprisonment for each of the charges he admitted to, with the sentences to run concurrently. She also fined the man $50,000 on each of the offences.
The charges that Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to were adjourned until October 24th, when they will be called at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
