LAS VEGAS (AP) - An inquiry about a missing firing pin provided the key to federal charges against two trade show workers in Las Vegas following the theft of dozens of firearms during the U.S. gun industry’s biggest annual convention, authorities said Thursday.
A Nevada gun shop owner is credited in court documents with tipping federal authorities about a man who said he had worked at the National Shooting Sports Foundation convention and asked how to obtain a firing pin for an assault-style rifle.
Forklift operator Jamikko Foster, 27, and co-worker Eduardo Limon, 28, were arrested Monday and federal agents recovered more than 60 pistols, rifles, machine guns and silencers at their homes, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.
Both men were arraigned Wednesday and freed pending another court hearing Feb. 27.
Limon’s lawyer, Chris Rasmussen, said his client hopes to quickly resolve the criminal case.
Foster’s federal public defender, Andrew Wong, did not immediately respond to messages.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, host of the “Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade” show, requires the removal of firing pins to disable the thousands of weapons displayed at the sprawling Sands Expo center adjacent to the Venetian and Palazzo resorts.
The show, in its 40th year, is restricted to industry members. It draws more than 1,700 exhibitors and about 65,000 attendees.
In a statement, the foundation credited police and federal authorities for the arrest.
A man who identified himself as the owner of the gun shop in Henderson that authorities say Foster and Limon visited on Sunday declined by telephone to comment or provide his name.
Licensed gun store owners had been notified by the ATF to report people seeking gunsmith services, according to court documents.
Limon was identified by store receipts, and he and Foster and his black Chevrolet Impala were identified in store security video, according to court documents.
Foster has been charged with four weapons counts, including theft. Limon faces two counts. Each charge carries the possibility of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.
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