Codepola President Faces Arrest for Assault on Firearms Instructor in San Juan
Ariel Torres Meléndez, 55, was charged with striking an older adult at TeleOnce offices. Bail was set at $5,000.
Judge Finds Probable Cause for Arrest Against Codepola Leader Following Appeal Hearing
Judge Nerisvel C. Durán Guzmán of the San Juan Court determined probable cause for arrest against Ariel Torres Meléndez, president of the Corporation for the Defence of the Firearms Licence Holder of Puerto Rico (Codepola), for allegedly assaulting a firearms instructor, according to elnuevodia.com.
The determination came during an appeal hearing under Rule 6, after Judge Dayra Infante Bosques found no probable cause at a preliminary hearing. Following that outcome, the San Juan State Attorney's Office announced it would appeal.
The Facts
The incident occurred on 27 May 2026, at approximately 6:35 a.m., at the TeleOnce offices located at Paseo Caribe in San Juan. According to the investigation, Torres Meléndez, 55, a resident of Guayama, assaulted a 65-year-old older adult—a firearms instructor with Capitol company—following the taping of a debate programme.
The complaint alleges that the defendant struck the victim in the face with his hand, causing his glasses to fall off, and subsequently grabbed him by the neck. The older adult fell to the ground and suffered lacerations in the neck area, according to information provided by authorities.
Torres Meléndez faces a charge of abuse of an elderly person, according to police.
Bail and Next Steps
The case was referred to prosecutor Adriana Albors, who instructed the filing of the charge. During the appeal hearing, Durán Guzmán set bail at $5,000. Torres Meléndez paid the amount, was booked and released pending the continuation of judicial proceedings. The court also issued a protective order in favour of the victim.
The preliminary hearing was scheduled for 4 August 2026.
The Defence
Torres Meléndez's lawyer, Michael Corona, stated in written remarks that they would present evidence at the preliminary hearing that will demonstrate that "the case does not have the merits that have been sought to be projected".
"We are convinced that the evidence will demonstrate that the charges brought against our client are not supported either by the facts or by law," Corona added.
The lawyer emphasised that his client would appear at the preliminary hearing "with the certainty that the evidence will allow the facts to be clarified and demonstrate that the allegations brought against Ariel Torres lack foundation".
Source: Google News PR — Crime