LA County sheriff's deputy pleads not guilty to unlawful possession of AR-15 rifle

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy pleaded not guilty Thursday to unlawful possession of an assault rifle and tracer ammunition at his home.

Brandon Garmon, 45, was charged April 4 with one felony count each of possession of an assault weapon and possession of a destructive device.

The charges stem from the discovery of an unregistered AR-15 assault rifle and incendiary ammunition that were found in a closet when a search warrant was served April 8, 2020, at Garmon's home, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Garmon has been suspended from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, but remains employed, his attorney told a judge.

He is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom July 17. A judge is expected to determine then whether there is sufficient evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.

"While I support the rights afforded to us under the 2nd Amendment, I also respect the laws of our state. It is illegal to possess an AR-15 assault rifle in California and I expect everyone, including sworn officers to follow the law," District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement announcing the charges.