A pastor in Las Vegas was arrested after he called the police for an unrelated issue, and they reportedly found an AR-15 rifle and fentanyl in his hotel room.
On August 20, a 61-year-old senior pastor at The Bridge Fellowship called the police to report a missing piece of property, which led officers to his hotel room. Upon arrival, the caller let the detectives know that he had a gun stashed in his guitar case, though hotel employees previously informed him about their firearms policy when he reportedly brought a shotgun into his room a few days earlier.
A search of the man’s room uncovered more than just the one firearm he had mentioned. Police found multiple firearms, including an AR-15 rifle with a scope. They also reportedly discovered fentanyl pills. The man allegedly admitted to transporting both the firearms and drugs from North Carolina on a private jet. He said he had flown to Las Vegas to find his missing daughter, whom he believed to be living in the city’s abandoned storm tunnels. He also allegedly told the detectives that he intended to give his daughter the fentanyl pills if he found her.
According to reports, the AR-15 and scope initially caused concern, leading the authorities to become suspicious about a potential terror plot. These assumptions were brought about by a 2017 mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that they often investigate suspicious situations involving multiple firearms in Las Vegas Strip hotels, and reports of a terror plot involving the man were unfounded.
The suspect is still expected to face multiple charges related to the illegal possession of both firearms and drugs, stemming from the items found during the search of his hotel room. Records indicate that the man was unable to attend his initial hearing because of a medical issue.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.