A federal judge denied a request to dismiss firearms charges against an illegal immigrant from Ohio who had been in the United States for more than 15 years, rejecting the man's argument that he had a right to bear arms.
Carlos Serrano Restrepo was indicted earlier this year and subsequently charged in the United States with illegal possession of a firearm by a foreign national. According to WSYX.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating and monitoring Serrano-Restrepo after he purchased at least 22 firearms and claimed to be a U.S. citizen on firearms documentation. did.
Investigators searched the home and seized approximately 170 firearms, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, and smoke and maritime markers.
Serrano Restrepo said some of the guns were purchased for self-defense.
Photos taken by investigators at his home showed he kept the firearm in a gun safe.
Several handguns were mounted in holsters on the walls of the closet.
The suspect's attorney filed a motion to dismiss the charges, citing a Second Amendment right to bear arms.
On Thursday, the judge denied his motion to dismiss the charges, writing in an opinion that “disarming illegal immigrants like Serrano Restrepo, who has not sworn allegiance to the United States, is a violation of this nation's history and tradition of firearm regulation.'' It is consistent with that.”
“Mr. Serrano Restrepo's challenge as filed is without merit,” the judge continued.
“The oath of allegiance is taken through the naturalization process, not through asylum applications or long-term residence in the United States.”
His trial is scheduled for January 21, 2025.
Serrano Restrepo moved from Arizona to Orient, Ohio in 2022.
He told the court that the last time he entered the United States illegally was in 2008.
He also runs a business that repairs fire and flood damage.
