Belize City Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Charges

Police searching a Belize City home found a nine-millimeter pistol hidden in a bathroom ceiling, its serial number filed off. That discovery landed twenty-one-year-old Elbert Smith behind bars. Smith pleaded guilty to keeping a firearm without a license and possession of a firearm with serial number removed. He was sentenced to two years in prison, even though the law allows up to five. Why the break? Smith admitted guilt early, showed remorse, and had strong character references, including his mother, who testified he was trying to turn his life around after a previous stint in prison. His common-law wife, who was also charged, walked free after Smith took full responsibility. Police say the gun was found during a search linked to a shooting investigation on August thirty-first.