The Virginia man who was caught trying to enter the Capitol through an inauguration security checkpoint while carrying a gun and ammunition Friday tearfully said he had no bad intentions.
31-year-old Wesley Allen Beeler drove his Ford F-150 up the checkpoint to the Capitol and showed off a credential to be authorized entry.
But when authorities checked his truck, they found a loaded 9mm gun with a high-capacity magazine and 17 rounds of ammunition prompting officers to arrest him.
“It was an honest mistake,” Beeler said adding that he has been working as a security guard for the last week in Downtown Washington.
“I pulled up to a checkpoint after getting lost in DC because I’m a country boy. I showed them the inauguration badge that was given to me.”
Beeler strongly denied having the 500 rounds of pistol ammunition and hollow-point bullets as alleged by police.
“It was just me forgetting to take it out of my truck before I left for work. I don’t know what the DC laws are. It still comes back on me, but I’m not a criminal,” he insisted.
Beeler was released on self-recognizance after being hit with a slew of charges including possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition.
