Son of missing Conn. couple pleads not guilty to gun charge
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- The son of a Connecticut couple missing since early last month pleaded not guilty to a gun charge in federal court Thursday, reports the Hartford Courant.
Kyle Navin, 27, is facing a federal charge of possession of a firearm by an individual who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance, after police searched his Bridgeport home in the aftermath of his parents' disappearance, uncovering firearms and drug paraphernalia, according to a federal affidavit.
Fifty-six-year-old Jeffrey Navin, of Easton, and his wife, 55-year-old Jeanette Navin, haven't been seen since Aug. 4. Their car was found in a commuter lot off the Merritt Parkway in Westport Aug. 9 by state troopers, according to Connecticut State Police, and reportedly had a smashed window.
Kyle Navin has not been charged in the disappearance, but sources tell CBS affiliate WFSB that police consider him a "person of interest."
According to a federal arrest warrant on the gun charge, Kyle Navin was the last person to speak with or see his parents and has made conflicting statements about his whereabouts on the last day they were seen.
The warrant reveals a series of suspicious text messages between the younger Navin and his father the day of the disappearance.
Jeffrey Navin allegedly texted his son, "I'm not going home till I know mom is okay" and "Did you hurt mom?" to which the younger Navin replied, "No absolutely not. Why would you think"
Jeffrey Navin allegedly texted back, "I go home and get framed for murder" and "I'm going to the police first." Later, according to the complaint, the elder Navin texted his son, "UR setting me up."
The warrant says investigators uncovered a Home Depot receipt issued Aug. 5 indicating Kyle Navin purchased "germicidal bleach, hair/grease drain opener, 'Goo Gone' stain remover and contractor cleanup bags."
Navin limped into court Thursday with his hands cuffed behind his back, reports the paper, and said only "not guilty your Honor" when a judge asked him for a plea in the gun offense.
His lawyer didn't comment to the Courant.