A teenager who has been in the United States since he was 9 years old said he hopes he will not be deported after he admitted to being in possession of a sheriff's deputy's duty handgun.
Freddy Reyes, 18, has been in custody in Douglas County Jail since Dec. 3 when he was arrested with the weapon.
Another person admitted to stealing the deputy's weapon and giving it to Reyes. The pistol was taken on Nov. 27 from the deputy's personal vehicle.
Reyes is being held under orders of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Defense attorney Kris Brown said that if Reyes is convicted of a felony, he will be deported. If his sentence is deferred while he seeks drug treatment, it will give the federal government time to decide whether he should be deported.
"I did not steal the weapon," he said. "I would appreciate getting another chance to stay here. I don't know where I'd go if I were sent to Mexico."
