Judges uphold ML man's convictions

SPOKANE - A state appellate court recently upheld a Moses Lake man's conviction of methamphetamine possession and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Eulogio Castro Romero was arrested in July 2012 by Moses Lake police officers after they served a search warrant at his home and found methamphetamine on his bedside table and a firearm under his mattress.

Romero argued his Miranda Rights were violated when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer questioned him while he was in police custody.

The ICE officer did not read Romero his Miranda Rights, but a Moses Lake officer did read him those rights when he was arrested 10-18 hours prior, according to court documents.

The three-judge panel ruled that the ICE officer did not need to reread Romero his Miranda rights.

Romero also contended that the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence in convicting him with possessing a firearm without an alien firearm license.

According to court documents, a person is guilty of possessing a firearm without an alien firearm license if the person is not a legal permanent resident, and has not obtained a valid alien firearm license.

To apply for an alien firearm license, a person must provide a copy of the applicant's passport and visa showing the applicant is in the country legally.

Romero admitted he lacked any papers authorizing him to be in the country.