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Army Cpl. Kevin Shope is shown here in the center.Click to enlarge

HAMILTON — A local man is concerned for his son, a soldier he said is in jail in Canada for possessing a firearm.

Army Cpl. Kevin Shope, a 25-year-old Hamilton High School graduate, was cutting through Canada on his way from Michigan to report to Fort Drum in New York, according to his father, David Shope of Hamilton.

Shope said today, July 15, his son had his pistol packed in his vehicle and was arrested on gun charges.

A Canadian newspaper reported Saturday, July 12, that an Ohio soldier was arrested on weapons charges.

Shope said his son could face a mandatory three-year sentence if convicted. He said a bail hearing would be Friday, July 18, but a court date could take up to a year.

"I'm really concerned for his freedom," Shope said.

William Harvey, commander of the American Legion Post 138, said he is organizing a letter writing campaign on Kevin Shope's behalf.

"We're trying to call everyone we can think of to help him," Harvey said. "He's sure not a felon."

Harvey said that the Army has yet to become involved because Shope hadn't checked in Fort Drum before his arrest.

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