Michael Corona, the legal representative of Ariel Torres Meléndez, president of the Corporation for the Defense of the Holder of a Firearms License in Puerto Rico (Codepola), stated that the allegations of mistreating an elderly person are unfounded. Judge Nerisvel C. Durán Guzmán of the San Juan Court determined cause for arrest and set a $5,000 bond, which was paid.
Corona expressed confidence that the evidence will demonstrate the allegations are baseless and that the case lacks merit. The incident allegedly occurred on May 27 at the TeleOnce offices in Paseo Caribe, San Juan, where Torres Meléndez is accused of assaulting 65-year-old Ángel Muñoz Gómez, a firearms instructor. Corona stated that the defense will respond to each allegation through evidence presented in court and will not litigate the case in the media.
The preliminary hearing is set for August 4.