Sergio Bautista, Conspiracy to Steal Explosive Materials, Nevada 2020

Two convicted felons are facing federal charges after allegedly stealing a 50-pound bag of ammonium nitrate fuel oil and 18 one-kilogram sticks of explosives from Hinton Mining LLC in Las Vegas. Sergio Bautista, aka “Ismael Cuevas-Flores,” 34, and Eric Golden, 54, made their initial court appearance on Friday, August 7, 2020, following a federal grand jury indictment handed down July 29, 2020.

The indictment charges both men with one count of conspiracy to steal explosive materials, one count of theft of explosives moved in interstate commerce, one count of theft from a licensed explosives permittee, one count of felon in possession of explosives, and one count of possession of stolen explosives. Each count carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, in addition to supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

According to court documents, Bautista and Golden conspired to steal the materials between May 12 and May 13, 2020. The explosives—industrial-grade ammonium nitrate compounds—are commonly used in mining operations but can be repurposed for destructive use if diverted into criminal hands. The theft occurred at a facility operated by Hinton Mining LLC, a licensed explosives user.

Both defendants are prohibited from handling explosives due to prior felony convictions. Bautista has prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, identity theft, forgery, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Golden’s record includes trafficking in a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and conspiracy to commit grand larceny.

The case was investigated by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Ihler is prosecuting the case, which is set for jury trial before U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan on September 28, 2020.

An indictment is not a conviction. Sergio Bautista and Eric Golden are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case underscores ongoing concerns about the security of industrial explosives and the risks posed when violent felons gain access to dangerous materials.

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