After a tense confrontation at a Fort Myers, Florida, apartment complex, a resident of Cape Coral was arrested.
According to Gulf Coast News Now, at 4:21 p.m. on Sept. 6, Fort Myers Police received reports of a threat involving a gun. After responding to Parkside Villa Apartments on the 4200 block of DeSoto Avenue, officers spoke to the victim.
The unidentified victim alleged that he confronted a man he saw urinating outside of the complex, telling him there were children nearby. After he did, the victim claimed that the man cursed, pulled out a gun, and told him that he would do what he wanted.
The Parkside Villa resident told the officers he was scared his life was in danger, so he called 911.
It wasn’t only the resident who warned the trespasser to stay away. At the entrance to the complex, large signs reading “No Trespassing” and “Private Property” are visible. The property also has cameras that monitor it at all times.
The Suspect’s Charges
The man accused of the crime, 28-year-old Hector Covarrubias, was detained on the spot.
During their investigation of Covarrubias, Fort Myers cops found a gun. The Cape Coral resident was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is a third-degree felony, and for possessing a firearm as a felon.
In Florida, a resident charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon may serve up to five years. Floridians accused of possessing a firearm as a felon, a second-degree felony, face up to 15 years in prison.
If the possession is proven, individuals must serve a minimum of three years.
Restoring Gun Rights in Florida
In Florida, it is illegal for a felon to own a firearm until they have restored their gun rights.
It is a long process to restore these rights in the state. According to Florida lawyer David M. Goldman, felons must complete their prison and parole sentence.
Requirements like community control, conditional release, and controlled release also must be done or have expired. Additionally, applicants cannot have outstanding victim restitution equaling $1,000 or more.
After these requirements are met, felons must maintain a clean record and wait eight years to apply for their gun rights back.
Individuals who committed sexual crimes or murder are permanently barred from owning firearms in Florida.
Residents React
Under a Facebook post discussing the incident, residents had mixed reactions. One commenter, using Covarrubias’ words against him, said that, “Apparently, he can’t do ‘whatever he wants.'”
Other commenters cracked jokes about the event, and another simply stated he was a “dork.”