Corona Attorney Admits Illegal Possession of Unregistered Weapons

CORONA, CA — A former Rialto police officer-turned-attorney who lives in Corona pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally possessing multiple unregistered weapons, including a short-barreled rifle, two silencers and a hand grenade.

Sergio Lopez de Tirado, 43, entered his plea in Los Angeles federal court to possession of an unregistered firearm and destructive device.

Lopez de Tirado, who is currently in custody without bond, faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced Sept. 26, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

According to court documents, officers found Lopez de Tirado asleep and apparently intoxicated in the passenger seat of a parked pickup truck -- with its doors wide open -- blocking a driveway in Norco. During their search of the truck last Dec. 21, authorities found a short-barreled 9-millimeter rifle, two silencers and a hand grenade in a holster under the defendant's arm, prosecutors said.

Other items, such as high-capacity magazines, ammunition and brass knuckles, were also found in the truck. According to court documents, the firearms in the vehicle -- including the short-barreled rifle and an AR-type rifle with a silencer -- were loaded when recovered by authorities.

Lopez de Tirado admitted in his plea agreement that he had not registered the rifle, the silencers or the hand grenade with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

— By City News Service