Trial to begin for Jacksonville man suspected of planning mosque shooting

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The trial for a man suspected of planning a mass shooting at a Jacksonville mosque is slated to begin Wednesday.

Bernandino Bolatete, 69, was arrested in December after investigators said he bought a firearm silencer from an undercover agent.

In addition to being suspected in the mass shooting plot, Bolatete was charged with unlawful possession of a silencer. His attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the charges. They contend the law that prohibits possession of a silencer without a registration is unconstitutional.

During the trial, prosecutors plan to play a recording made by the undercover agent who "sold" Bolatete the silencer.

Police raided Bolatete's home in East Arlington and seized a stockpile of 11 guns and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition, prosecutors said. A judge found he poses “an extreme risk to the community” based on his own statements and possession of multiple firearms

Bolatete has pleaded not guilty to knowingly receiving and possessing a silencer not registered to him. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.