Early this morning, around 4:45 a.m. Ladyville police raided Anthony Zelaya's residence in Gardenia village. Zelaya was present at the time along with were Nelson Zelaya, Arlene Zelaya and Nicole Moody. During that operation, they found a sawed-off 16 gauge shot gun, four 16-gauge cartridges and 105 grams - or 3.7 ounces - of marijuana.

All 4 persons were charged with keeping a prohibited firearm, keeping unlicensed ammunition, and drug trafficking. The officers quickly prepared their criminal charges and marched them to court today, where they were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith.

Anthony Zelaya pleaded guilty to all 3 offenses, and so the Chief Magistrate was forced to give him stiff penalties for these very serious offences. He was sentenced to 7 years for the firearm offence, 7 years for the ammunition offence and he was fined $10,000 for drug trafficking with the stipulation that the fine must be paid forthwith, in default of payment 5 years. Chief Magistrate Smith also stipulated that the firearm and ammunition sentences are to run concurrently and consecutive to the sentence for drug trafficking. So, since he could not pay the fine, he must now spend 7 years, plus 5 more, which means that he will be serving a total of 12 years.