‘Dumpster Diver’ Tells Court The Facts Of His Case Are Wrong

Police arrested a self-described "Dumpster diver" for being a felon in possession of a firearm early Sunday.

Whether other details are true are open for debate, at least for defendant John Pete Larralde.

"You don't even got your facts right," Larralde said after Natrona County Circuit Court Judge Steve Brown set his bond at $15,000.

Larralde likewise said Assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen was ridiculously going way too far back in time, namely 1982, in looking at his criminal record to support the $15,000 bond recommendation.

He again told Brown, "You don't know none of the facts, your honor."

The judge responded he'd be open to hearing Larralde's view, but the defendant said it wouldn't make any difference. "I could tell you now, but you don't want to know."

Whatever he would have said wouldn't have mattered anyway, because he is charged with a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Larralde will have a preliminary hearing within a couple of weeks at which a judge will determine whether the case should be bound over to Natrona County District Court for trial.

The case began early Sunday morning when an officer was sitting in his parked patrol vehicle near East C Street and North Beech Street and saw Larralde -- frequently looking over his shoulder -- walking with a small bag, according to an affidavit filed with circuit court.

The officer eventually chased Larralde on foot, tackled him, and saw he had a loaded and cocked .22-caliber pistol.

After being cuffed, Larralde was read his rights and told the officer he went "Dumpster diving" near a local social service agency where he found a purse, the pistol and ammunition. He said he was taking the gun to a friend's house nearby to sell it.

Larralde was taken to the county jail and booked on the firearms charge and interference with a peace officer.

A check of his criminal record revealed he had a firearms disqualification because of convictions for larceny, aggravated assault and battery, and child abuse.

The affidavit stated the gun was not stolen, but it did not have any information why it had been placed in the trash container.