MATTHEW LANE • TODAY AT 12:00 PM

GREENEVILLE — A Mexican citizen found in possession of multiple fake IDs and living in the United States illegally has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally possessing a firearm.

Rico Candido was arrested at 604 Milton Court by Kingsport police in February following a complaint of possible criminal activity at the residence. Vice detectives searched the residence and found two handguns in a bedroom — one in a safe and the other beneath a pillow.

According to a press release from the Kingsport Poilce Department, Candido said he needed the firearms “for his protection.”

Police found scales covered in white residue (later tested positive as cocaine), small plastic baggies containing Xanax, and $300 in cash and coins suspected to be profits from prior drug deals.

Candido was also in possession of multiple fake identification cards. One was easy to detect, according to police: “a Mexican Identification Card that was mysteriously printed in the English language.” Further investigation revealed that Candido was in the United States illegally.

The KPD arrested Candido and charged him with possession of Schedule IV drugs and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Because Candido was found to be an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, Kingsport police forwarded the matter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

In September, a grand jury at U.S. District Court in Greeneville indicted Candido on one count of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Candido made an initial appearance on Thursday, waived his detention hearing and will be held in custody pending a Feb. 4, 2016 trial.

Court records show Candido is a citizen of Mexico and that U.S. authorities will be notifying the Mexican consulate about Candido’s arrest and detention.

http://www.timesnews.net/Law-Enforce...un-charge.html