Court papers: Man with gun not approved to be in the U.S.

GULFPORT -- A motorist stopped for driving erratically in Biloxi had a 9mm Ruger semi-automatic handgun and is suspected of being in the United States without permission.

A Mississippi Department of Marine Resources officer conducted a traffic stop Sept. 9 on a man who identified himself as Leo Morales, 41. The discovery of a handgun led to a state charge of possession of a stolen firearm, the Harrison County jail docket shows.

State law authorizes DMR officers to make arrests on land.

Further investigation revealed he is Leobardo Morales-Gonzalez, now held for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for prosecution.

A federal grand jury indicted him Dec. 8 on an immigration and firearm violation punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The case was sealed until his initial court appearance Dec. 15, when Morales-Gonzalez pleaded not guilty.

U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden last week set a pre-trial hearing for Jan. 25.

He is set for trial on a court calendar that starts Jan. 4.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 9:34 AM with the headline "Court papers: Man with gun not approved to be in the U.S. ."