NASSAU-A 21-year-old convicted of having an illegal handgun for the second time has been jailed for three years.
Police arrested David Pierre through Lily of the Valley Corner on June 19 after they caught him with a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol.
Officers on mobile patrol saw when Pierre, also known as David Merace, dropped the gun to the ground as they approached him, the court heard
Pierre, of Gibbs Corner, pleaded guilty to charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition at his arraignment.
The prosecutor said Pierre told the arresting officers that he had the gun for protection.
In court, Pierre provided more details. Pierre claimed he armed himself after he’d survived three previous attempts on his life after his release from prison.
A magistrate jailed him for one year in October 2017 for having an illegal handgun and ammunition.
In sentencing, Magistrate Andrew Forbes said Pierre’s previous conviction for the same offences was an aggravating factor.
However, he gave Pierre credit for cooperating with authorities and his guilty plea.
Given Pierre’s pattern of conduct, Magistrate Forbes tripled the penalty he received for his first gun crime.
