A 31 year old Virginia man named Wesley was arrested Friday evening at a security checkpoint near the U.S. Capitol after police say he handed over an unauthorized inauguration credential and was found with a loaded handgun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition in his truck. He has since been released and says the whole thing was a misunderstanding.
According to the Daily Mail, Wesley, of Front Royal, approached a checkpoint at North Capitol and E Street NE around 6:30 p.m. Police said the credential he showed was not government issued and did not authorize him to enter the area. Officers then searched his truck and reported finding a loaded Glock, shotgun shells, a magazine and the ammunition. Police charged him with carrying a pistol without a license, possessing an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and possessing a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
Wesley disputes the picture police painted. He told Fox 5 DC and The Washington Post that he works as a security guard, was given the badge by his employer, and got lost because of road closures. “It was just me forgetting to take it out of my truck before I left for work,” he said. He also said he is licensed to carry in Virginia and did not know the District’s gun laws, and that he never meant to hurt anyone.
A judge released him on his own recognizance and ordered him to stay away from D.C. The arrest came as security around the Capitol was at an unprecedented level following the January 6 riot and ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration. Charges are allegations, and he has not been convicted of anything.
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