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A Virginia man arrested at a DC checkpoint with guns and ammo says he was just lost and made an 'honest mistake'

capitol breach
The U.S. Capitol is seen through security fencing on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Washington as security is increased ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
  • A Virginia man arrested at a DC checkpoint and accused of having guns and a cache of ammunition says it was an "honest mistake," and he was simply a private security guard who got lost.

  • Wesley Allen Beeler, 31, was released by a judge on Saturday and told The Washington Post he was licensed to carry the gun, and had an inauguration badge as he'd been working security gigs all week.

  • Washington, DC, has dramatically ramped up security measures ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, just two weeks after Trump supporters violently stormed the US Capitol.

  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

US Capitol Police arrested a Virginia man at a checkpoint on Friday, alleging he had an unregistered gun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition amid heightened security for President-elect Joe Biden's upcoming inauguration.

The man, 31-year-old Wesley Allen Beeler, tearfully told The Washington Post on Saturday that the whole thing was "an honest mistake." Beeler said he was a security guard who had gotten lost in DC, and hadn't realized his firearm was still in his truck.

He also told The Post he has a license to carry the gun, and that he did not have 509 rounds of ammunition, as the incident report alleged.

"I pulled up to a checkpoint after getting lost in DC because I'm a country boy," he told the newspaper. "I showed them the inauguration badge that was given to me."

The Post reported that a judge released Beeler on personal recognizance and ordered him to stay away from DC.

washington dc inauguration checkpoint
A security checkpoint, seen on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

US Capitol Police told Insider in a statement that Beeler arrived at a security checkpoint with a "non-government issued credential," a handgun in plain sight, and "numerous rounds of ammunition."

Beeler was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of unregistered ammunition.

A police incident report alleged that Beeler had two guns, 509 rounds of ammunition, nearly two dozen 12-gauge shotgun shells, and a high-capacity magazine.

Beeler told The Post he had been en route to an overnight gig guarding media equipment, and the credential he was given had previously granted him access to the area.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Beeler was not charged with presenting a fraudulent credential; US Capitol Police say the credential he presented was simply unauthorized.

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