Hearing for Weston Marine Jailed in Mexico

Mother says she's 'very optimistic' about Andrew Tahmooressi's weapons charge hearing

The mother of a South Florida Marine being held in a Mexican jail on weapons charges says she's optimistic about the outcome of a court hearing Wednesday.

Andrew Tahmooressi went before a judge Wednesday for the first time since his arrest near Tijuana on April 1. The hearing was closed but a second hearing was reportedly scheduled for June.

"I'm very optimistic," mother Jill Tahmooressi told NBC 6 in a brief phone interview Wednesday morning. "He was looking forward to it. He was relieved to be able to go before the judge."

Tahmooressi, 25, was arrested after driving his black Ford pickup over the border at San Ysidro, California, into Tijuana. Family members said Tahmooressi, who was in possession of three U.S.-registered firearms, got lost near the border after dark and took a wrong turn into Mexico.

The Marine reservist, who is from Weston and has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, was in the San Diego area to receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jill Tahmooressi said her son has been keeping him up to date on the proceedings, and said he's hired a new lawyer.

"He feels that the new attorney is credentialed and professional and capable of presenting evidence that is noteworthy and truthful," she said.

Tahmooressi has gained the support of Florida elected officials, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sen. Marco Rubio. His family has also started a White House petition asking for his release.

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