Buddy of mine was "framed"?

So just for the record, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt based on what I know about him.

We were coworkers for a few years and he and I talked alot about his anger issues, his past time in prison, and how he's trying to change his life. He eventually moved out of state and I haven't really been in contact with him for a few years but a mutual friend has been giving me updates.

The other day he was pulled over with a pistol in the backseat of the car. As a felon, he's pretty much screwed. But he swears up and down that it wasn't his and that he's being framed. Considering he has no reason to lie to us, I believe him.

ASSUMING he is actually innocent, is there any shred of hope my buddy has in proving his innocence? I know when it comes to felons and firearms they really don't seem to care about the situation. If you have access, it's in your possession.