Va. man arrested at inauguration checkpoint says he was lost; didn’t mean to bring gun, ammunition to the District
Beeler was arrested on expenses of carrying a pistol with out a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of unregistered ammunition, a Capitol Police spokesperson stated. A choose ordered him launched on private recognizance and issued a stay-away order from the District.
“It was an honest mistake,” Beeler defined after being launched. In a tear-filled interview, he stated he has spent the final week working as employed safety in downtown Washington forward of the inauguration. He was working late to work and forgot that his firearm was in his truck when he left his residence in Virginia, the place he stated he has a license to carry. He denied that he had greater than 500 rounds of ammunition listed in his arrest report.
“I pulled up to a checkpoint after getting lost in D.C. because I’m a country boy,” he stated. “I showed them the inauguration badge that was given to me.”
Beeler stated he was given a credential by his employer, MVP Protective Services. A man who answered a telephone quantity related with MVP protecting companies stated, “Unfortunately, at this time I am not authorized to speak,” when reached by a reporter Saturday night.
U.S. Capitol police stated in charging papers that Beeler was “not authorized to enter the restricted area” with the credential he introduced, and in a press release Saturday police stated he introduced “a non-government issued” credential.
As his credential was being checked, one other officer famous bumper stickers on the truck’s home windows, which learn, “Assault Life” and “If they arrive on your weapons giv ‘em your bullets first,” police said.
The officers asked Beeler if he had weapons in the car, and he volunteered that he had a Glock in his center armrest, charging papers said.
After removing Beeler from the truck, officers found the firearm, a 9mm handgun, was loaded with a high-capacity magazine and 17 rounds of ammunition and the pistol was chambered and ready to fire, court document said.
Police said they also found more than 500 rounds of pistol ammunition, including hollow-point bullets. Nearly two dozen shotgun shells were “located in plain sight in the rear cargo area of the vehicle,” the court documents said.
Beeler said he recalls having only the loaded firearm and the shotgun shells in his vehicle.
“It was just me forgetting to take it out of my truck before I left for work. I don’t know what the D.C. legal guidelines are. It nonetheless comes again on me, however I’m not a prison,” Beeler stated.
Beeler stated he volunteered for a job in D.C. after a pal let him know of an in a single day job with MVP to guard media tools situated at seventh and Constitution. He stated the credential he was given has beforehand been sufficient to enter that space.
He stated he has quite a few safety assignments in the previous, together with working as a corrections officer and offering safety for a Saudi embassy property. A spokesman for Allied Universal Security Services confirmed that Beeler beforehand labored for a smaller safety firm it acquired.
Beeler’s mom and father, who each spoke to The Post earlier than Beeler was launched from custody, stated he works in personal safety and had been reporting for work downtown by means of the previous week.
Beeler’s spouse, Noelle Beeler, stated she realizes why folks reacted with worry and concern at the report of a man with a Glock and a cache of ammo in his truck in downtown Washington.
“It’s understandable during these times. It does sound suspicious,” she stated. The couple was attempting to discover a method for Beeler to return residence after his launch and to clarify what occurred to their kids.
“I dont want my kids to think I’m a bad person,” Beeler stated.
Beeler has been ordered not to return to the metropolis besides to seem in court docket or meet together with his lawyer.
Julie Tate, Jennifer Jenkins, Peter Hermann, Alex Horton, and Dan Lamothe contributed to this report.
