A 26-year-old man has been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to possessing an illegal firearm found hidden in his home.
According to Antigua News Room, Ajahnae Nicholas appeared before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel after police executed a search warrant at his Green Bay Hill residence on 10 April. Officers reported that Nicholas directed them to his bedroom, where a silver Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun was discovered concealed inside a plastic bag beneath his bed. The weapon's serial number had been removed.
Nicholas told police he had found the gun in nearby bushes.
Prosecutors described the weapon as a serious public safety threat, citing its capacity to fire high-powered shells and the deliberate removal of its identifying markings.
A co-accused, 20-year-old Kayshia Riley of Sweets Village, had the charge against her dismissed. Defence attorney Sherfield Bowen represented both parties.
Nicholas was remanded into custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on 12 May. The court is considering sentencing guidelines ahead of next month's ruling.
