U.S. Court drops illegal shipping of weapons charge on Elite Security
The owner of the Elite Security Company in Belize, who is also a veteran officer at the Los Angeles Police Department, has been freed in the US courts. Johnny Augustus Baltazar was charged in November 2009 for illegally shipping guns to Belize for his business. But a federal court jury acquitted him of the offense last week after his attorney, Humberto Diaz, successfully argued that Baltazar’s actions were merely technical violations of several complex regulations related to shipping of weapons. Diaz also noted that the shipping company did not carry out due diligence in its paperwork nor did they check the contents of the safe containing the firearms and ammunition before sending it off. In July 2007 Baltazar shipped a safe packed with eight point forty calibre handguns, two nine millimetre handguns and over one thousand five hundred rounds of ammunition; most of which he purchased at the LAPD police academy store. The weaponry was for Baltazar’s security company but when they arrived in Belize, officials found that some of the guns were prohibited because the importing of handguns with a higher calibre than nine millimetres is banned. The shipment was returned and according to Diaz, before Baltazar could swap the larger calibre weapons for smaller ones, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency began an investigation, which led to the charges. But in delivering the verdict one juror noted that even the investigators had a hard time understanding the shipping regulations and posed the question (quote) “How could they hold this man to that higher standard and convict him of a felony when they couldn’t explain the law?” (unquote). Baltazar was on leave since the department was notified of the investigation, but officials say he remains an LAPD officer.
The good news is a brother from Belize did not destroy his law enforcement career by shipping guns & ammo that could end up in the hands of criminals. The bad news is, we still don’t know where the guns are coming from.
Justice has been served. It is quite a shame to condemn an innocent man for a serious crime that he did not commit. Mr. Baltazar was the victim of some jealous and rogue individuals who were determined to slander his name and ruin his reputation. However, the bible states in Psalm 37 “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked,for he knows their day is coming”.
Let that be a classic example to all who were making negative comments and trying to condemn an innocent man who is creating jobs and placing food on the table of familes. Mr. Baltazar is reputable, hard working and a law abiding man.
God will never allow the wicked to prevail over the righteous. “Let he that is without sin cast the first stone”.
People are such haters. No crime was commited here. The only crime is that an innocent man was being condemned for something he did not do. Why is it always easier to believe the worst about others? People have a tendency to feed off such negativity. Belizean people are notorious for condemning their own. I wonder what some of you have in your closet that you might be hiding. Be careful what you say about others because we are not and will not be in ultimate judgement of ourselves in the final hour.
THE TRUTH WILL OUT………….
All in all good always prevail over evil. The sinister plots of the adversary cannot exalt itself over righteousness. This brother was obviously being railroaded and was courageous enough to fight his accusers and win. It is not the one that win the battle that rejoices but he that wins the war and obviously Mr. Baltazar won the war. No telling what all he had to endure in the process. Resilience, Courage and determination is definitely his personality traits.
thank you guy’s, for the kind and the positive words…..from Mr Baltazar nephew.God bless you.and God bless belize.