Man, 75, wants trial over attempted gun purchase

GULFPORT -- A 75-year-old man was set to admit he made false statements to buy a firearm at Keesler Air Force Base but has decided he wants a trial.

Travis Coy Rayborn of Gautier had notified the court of his intent to plead guilty and a change-of-plea hearing had been set for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

Judge Sul Ozerden set a new trial date of March 7.

An indictment filed Oct. 6 accused Rayborn of making false statements to buy a gun from a licensed federal firearms dealer at the Keesler Main Exchange in Biloxi on May 11. The FBI denied his application.

Rayborn is a retired veteran subject to a mental-health commitment and a domestic-violence order, said Sheila Wilbanks, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

He is held with no bond.

Rayborn had a Bay Minette, Ala., address when the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office arrested him on a charge of domestic violence third-degree Dec. 8, 2014.

He had a Gautier address Aug. 29 when Gautier police arrested him on charges of exhibiting a weapon in a threatening manner and public drunkenness.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Man, 75, wants trial over attempted gun purchase ."