SAN DIEGO - Friends and community members are asking the Mexican government to release an Air Force Veteran and City College student currently detained in Tijuana.
25-year-old Chris Chavez tried to cross into Mexico back on June 6th. He planned to go to a pharmacy to pick up medication for an ear and throat infection. His friend Christian Cardozo was with him and tells reporting partner 10 News the car was pulled over by Mexican police because it had tinted windows and then police found an unloaded handgun in the glove compartment. They were both put under arrest.
"We were shocked, because we didn't know firearms were illegal in Mexico,” said Cardozo.
Cardoza said Chavez had recently found an apartment in San Diego and was still in the process of moving. The gun and more of his belongings were still in his car at the time of the arrest. Cardoza was released and a public defender told Chavez he could be out sooner if he pleaded guilty, but he's facing a three-year prison sentence.
“Christopher fought for our country," said Cardozo. "He shouldn't be punished for this honest mistake.”
Cardoza is currently raising funds to help hire a private attorney to represent his friend and he's also reached out to the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana for help.