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Man in Columbus gun case eyes plea withdraw

Updated: Wednesday, 21 Dec 2011, 2:17 PM MST
Published : Wednesday, 21 Dec 2011, 11:34 AM MST

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The owner of a New Mexico gun store at the center of a case involving trafficking firearms to Mexican cartels wants to withdraw his guilty plea.

Lawyers for Ian Garland, owner of Chaparral Guns in Chaparral, N.M., filed a motion to withdraw the plea last week in federal court.

The motions said the 50-year-old pleaded guilty because the "pressure and potential consequences of not pleading were too much."

Garland pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy and six counts of making false statements in the acquisition of firearms. He faces up to 35 years in prison but the motion says Garland agreed to a five-year sentence.

Garland was among a dozen people, including former Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza, charged in a federal sting earlier this year.

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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News