by Mindy Aguon

Guam - It's unclear how a civilian police reservist, who was arrested earlier this week, was able to become a member of the force. Maurice Montgomery was arrested for unsworn falsification after allegedly lying that he had never been convicted of a misdemeanor on a concealed weapons application.

Although he's been a reservist for nearly a decade, the Guam Police Department wasn't aware of his conviction until Montgomery applied for a concealed firearms permit back in February. GPD Spokesperson Officer A.J. Balajadia says civilian police reserve applicants undergo a background check before they are allowed to serve the people of Guam. The department is unsure at this point how Montgomery's previous conviction did not pop-up before.

Balajadia says fortunately the background check into his most recent application showed the conviction. The discovery resulted in his credentials, badge and firearm being removed.

Montgomery's status with the department however is pending a final decision from the chief of police.