Celebratory shots land Venezuelan in jail

Oct 12, 2018 Court Stories, News

Venezuelan: Jesus Rodriguez

A Venezuelan national was yesterday slapped with four gun related charges, and fined $100,000 then jailed for four years for being in possession of illegal guns and ammunitions.
Jesus Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to the first two charges, which stated that on October 7, last, at Dukwari Backdam, Cuyuni River, he had in his possession a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and 17 live rounds of 9mm ammunition without being the holder of a valid firearm licence.
The second of the two charges alleged that Rodriguez on the said date at the said location allegedly had in his possession one .38 mm pistol with 3 matching rounds without being the holder of a valid firearm licence.
Rodriguez, who is 27 years old and originated from San Martin, Venezuela, told the court that he works in San Martin, which is across the border from Dukwari as a labourer and only came to Guyana to collect some money from someone who owed him.
He told the court that normally in Venezuela when they drink (alcohol), they would fire shots in the air as a mean of celebration without having intent to hurt anyone.
Rodriguez pleaded with the court for mercy as he told the magistrate that he has never been in any sort of trouble in neither Guyana nor Venezuela.
When asked about why the weapons in question were not licensed, the defendant told the court that the truth is that he bought them in Venezuela and while he knows that they were illegal guns, he is not a bad person nor is he a dangerous man.
The defendant acknowledged that here in Guyana, he has committed a crime but he is begging for forgiveness and another chance to make it right.
Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the defendant on the day in question was renting a room at Dukwari Backdam.
The owner of the hotel in which he was renting a room allegedly voiced complains to two police constables about him “shooting up” in the building.
The constables then went to the hotel and conducted a search on Rodriguez and found the articles mentioned in the charge.
After listening to the Prosecutor, the magistrate sentenced Rodriguez to two years in prison for each charge; however, the sentences will run concurrently and be accompanied by the $100,000 fine.
Meanwhile, the charges to which he pleaded not guilty were transferred to the Bartica Magistrate court and adjourned until October 24.

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