LAS VEGAS (FOX5) —The Nye County Sheriff’s Office seized eight guns, including five with no serial numbers, during an investigation of another alleged crime, according to the Nye County Undersheriff.
“So this all began from a theft case,” said Nye County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Cory Fowles. “There was a theft from a slot machine at one of the bars here in Pahrump. While we were investigating the theft, we identified the suspects. They were on camera. We did a search warrant at their residence to search for evidence of the theft and found these guns.”
Five guns had no serial numbers
The sheriff’s office said the guns were allegedly found with someone who was not supposed to have guns. Five of the eight guns seized had no serial numbers, which the undersheriff said raises public safety concerns.
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“So, what we refer to as ghost guns are firearms with no serial number or the serial number that’s been removed or obliterated,” the Undersheriff said. “They’ll often do that because it’s hard to track them and identify them. If these guns were stolen previously, the first thing they do is remove the serial number. Not unlike if you steal a car. The first thing you’re going to do is try to obliterate that VIN number and make it so that law enforcement can’t track it.”
The undersheriff said a ghost gun used in a crime with no serial number can make prosecution tougher.
Drugs found alongside guns
Deputies also found drugs along with the guns, according to the sheriff’s office.
“It’s not the bust of the century, but every drug and gun bust like this makes our communities a little bit safer. So, I’m grateful for our deputies out there doing the hard work,” said Fowles.
Sheriff’s office seeks public’s help
The sheriff’s office posted the seized guns on its Facebook page so the public can view them, noting the weapons could be stolen. Anyone who believes one of the guns is theirs, or has information about the crime, is urged to call the sheriff’s office. 775-751-7000, choose option 5. Or contact Crime Stoppers, where tipsters can remain anonymous.
The sheriff’s office is not naming the first suspect arrested because the investigation is ongoing. The undersheriff said the investigation does not indicate any larger plot involving the guns.
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