Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 21-year-old Eloy D. Guadarrama Silva of Rex, Georgia was arraigned yesterday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Diane Wray on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).
It is alleged that on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at approximately 9:14 p.m., the defendant was driving and made a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge. During an inspection of the defendant’s vehicle, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers allegedly found a loaded, illegal handgun inside of a backpack.
Guadarrama Silva is scheduled to return on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Prosecutors requested that the defendant be remanded. He was released on bail set at $1,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
If convicted of the charge, Guadarrama Silva faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mitchell C. Boughton of the Buffalo City Court Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
