Alien in possession of firearm charges dropped against abuser

QUINCY — A Quincy resident and non-immigrant alien pleaded guilty to fourth-degree domestic violence assault, avoiding a felony charge of alien in possession of a firearm after a plea agreement.

Edgar Irael Lopez Morales, 32, was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with 354 days suspended for two years. Seven of the remaining ten days were converted to 56 hours of community service.

Quincy police were dispatched to a report of a domestic assault, in which the victim claimed Morales struck her in the face, though Morales claimed he had only pushed her to the ground in self-defense. Police found no injuries on Morales during their initial investigation, according to court records. The victim also told police about an earlier domestic violence incident in 2012.

As police were interviewing Morales and the victim, they learned of a pistol owned by Morales which, though not used in the assault, he could not legally possess as he was not a citizen nor a legal immigrant.

The gun was not stolen. When police asked Morales where he had gotten the weapon, he told them that he was holding it for a friend.

Emry Dinman can be reached via email at edinman@columbiabasinherald.com.