Chainsaw operator remanded after Mount Sinai gun, ammo find

Nov 19, 2016 News

Appearing yesterday at the Albion Magistrate Court before Magistrate Marissa Mettleholzer was

Remanded:
Milton Van Luen

27-year-old, Milton Van Luen, a self employed chainsaw operator.
He faced charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition. Van Luen pleaded not guilty to both charges.
He was remanded to prison until December 16, next.
It is alleged that one day earlier Milton Van Luen had in his possession one Taurus pistol without being the holder of a firearm license. He also had 10 live .38 rounds of ammunition.
Van Luen who was represented by Attorney-at-law Horashio Edmonson, who had asked the court to grant the accused bail, said that his client was not a flight risk and that he was merely a visitor to the home where the items were found.
Edmonson told the court that the police are aware that the home is owned by someone else. However, the Magistrate underscored that the court does not have facts to support such a claim.
Prosecutor Orin Joseph related to the court that their account differed from that of the defense. Joseph argued that the house is shared by the accused and another.
According to the Prosecutor when ranks visited the home the accused was told that a search will be carried out on the premises. He was then asked to indicate the section of the house which he occupies.
He stated that the ranks were taken to a bedroom, a search was carried out where the firearm and ammunition were found.
The Prosecutor also noted that bail should only be granted to persons who are charged and if there are any special circumstances. E stated that the reason given by the defense was not a special one.
The matter was transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrate Court for the next date.