Teen remanded to prison pending sentencing after pleading guilty for firearm and ammunition

By Breaking Belize News Staff: An 18-year-old Belize City resident has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after pleading guilty to keeping an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Malachi Vernon, of Gill Street, appeared before the Chief Magistrate on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to keeping a firearm and ammunition without being the holder of a gun license.

Police say that on Friday, July 3, 2026, Vernon was found in possession of a KNIK brand 9mm pistol loaded with 10 live rounds of ammunition. The ammunition reportedly included five bronze-colored Luger brand rounds and five silver-colored 9mm rounds.

According to police, officers were conducting mobile patrol on Gill Street when their attention was drawn to Vernon, who was allegedly seen crossing the street and acting suspiciously. He was stopped and searched, and police say the firearm was found in his right front pocket.

Vernon, who is employed with J&J Handyman Service, was unrepresented in court. However, he has reportedly sought legal advice from an attorney who is preparing a bail application to be filed at the High Court.

The Chief Magistrate accepted Vernon’s guilty plea and remanded him pending sentencing, which has been set for Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

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