Illegal immigrant living in Telford admits to gun charge
Illegal immigrant living in Telford admits to gun charge
By Margaret Gibbons Staff writer
A gun-toting illegal immigrant is facing a potential maximum sentence of five to 10 years behind bars.
Jose Galo, 34, who lists a home address in the 100 block of Church Road, Telford, as well as a South Carolina address, on Wednesday pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to a felony charge of gun possession by a person unlawfully in the United States.
Galo, who has been held in the county prison since his July arrest in lieu of $3,500 bail and because of an immigration detainer against him, entered an open plea. This means there is no agreement between the prosecution and defense on a sentence and that Galo is throwing himself on the mercy of the court.
While Galo could be sentenced to the maximum, state sentencing guidelines in the standard range recommend a sentence beginning anywhere between a minimum of 22 to 36 months.
Judge Steven T. O’Neill postponed sentencing until he can learn more about Galo, a native of El Salvador.
Galo came to the attention of Telford police on July 8 at about 10:30 p.m. when they received a 911 call from a citizen reporting that someone was recklessly driving a black Ford Explorer.
The SUV repeatedly veered into oncoming traffic on both West Reliance Road and Main Street, according to the caller. In one instance, an oncoming vehicle had to drive up on the sidewalk to avoid a head-on collision, the criminal complaint reports the witness stating.
The SUV finally turned into the parking lot of the Cheers and Beer bar, with the driver exiting the SUV and going into the bar, according to the criminal complaint.
Police intercepted Galo, who appeared to be intoxicated, as he exited the bar, the complaint said.
While talking with Galo, one officer noticed that Galo repeatedly put his right hand into his right pants pocket, the complaint said.
A search revealed that Galo was grasping a fully loaded, including one round in the chamber, .25-caliber Phoenix Arms automatic pistol, the complaint said.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/north_penn/illegal-immigrant-living-in-telford-admits-to-gun-charge/article_138469a7-6bd6-52ad-8dd7-ee1de2c4e061.html
