Keaton Bell, 24, Pleads Guilty to Theft of Detective’s Assault Rifle in Colorado
Keaton Bell, a 24-year-old man from Hotchkiss, Colorado, has pleaded guilty to theft of a detective’s assault rifle. The crime occurred in October 2012, when Bell and his girlfriend were staying at the detective’s home in Gypsum, Colorado. The two got into a fight, and Bell left the house with the detective’s SWAT equipment, including a machine gun, a handgun, ammunition, and tactical gear.
The equipment and weapons were owned by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office. At the time the crime was reported, Bell was reportedly in Alberta, Canada, working for a mining company. Officers went to Bell’s home in Hotchkiss, Colorado, on November 2, 2012, but were unable to reach anyone.
Investigators continued to locate Bell, and he responded via text about his location. He then called the officers when he became available. Officers asked for permission to search Bell’s pickup, and he granted them permission as long as a family member was present. During the search, officers found a leg holster for a taser that belonged to the detective.
On November 20, 2012, Bell was arrested at a Walmart in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, on an Eagle County arrest warrant. Investigators confirmed that Bell stole a Colt rifle, a Glock, a .380 pistol, magazines, and a suppressor for the rifle. They also found out that Bell put the stolen items into his truck after returning from Canada.
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office obtained a state search warrant for the truck and found a camouflage-colored rifle case under the driver’s side rear wheel well. The case contained the following stolen items: a Colt M4 Commando .223 Fully Automatic Rifle, an EOTech Sight System, a Surefire Light System, a GemTech Halo Suppressor, a Glock 9mm model 26 semi-automatic pistol, and two .223 magazines. They also found the Bersa .380 with holster under the hood and in the engine compartment of the vehicle.
The Colt rifle is imprinted with information that the weapon is fully automatic. Further, the firearm was clean when it was stolen and dirty when recovered, evidencing that it had been fired.
Bell faces up to ten years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine for each of the counts that he has pled guilty to.
The case has been investigated by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer.
Keaton Bell is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. before Senior U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane.
Related Federal Cases
- David Michael Ansberry, Attempted Destruction of a Building or Property by Means of Fire or Explosive, Colorado 2023 · Colorado
- David Michael Ansberry, Use and Attempted Use of a Weapon of Mass Destruction, Colorado 2016 · Illinois
- Kenneth Allen Francis, Making False Statements to Federally Licensed Firearms Dealers, Colorado 2016 · Illinois
- Jerome Andre Kimble, Selling Firearm to Minor, Colorado 2016 · Illinois
- Daniel Anthony Garcia, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Colorado 2016 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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