Snapchat Videos Lead To Gun Arrests And Charges

LAS VEGAS, Nev.–Three men, including two former felons, were arrested and face criminal charges after posting videos on Snapchat of themselves illegally shooting firearms which included a stolen firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBI Las Vegas field office.

“The three defendants were arrested and charged with gun crimes. Criminals should take heed of these arrests. Law enforcement will utilize all resources at their disposal to protect citizens and to ensure safe Nevada communities for all to live in,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden.

“These arrests reflect the FBI's strong, collaborative partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and our common goal of making our city safer. Those who seek to live the gang lifestyle or exploit others through human trafficking should take note of the unified effort of the law enforcement community to stop their despicable pursuits,” said SAC Rouse.

Peryoun Newman, 25, Shavonte Hill, 29, both of Las Vegas, were charged by a criminal complaint for felon in possession of firearms. Co-defendant, Jevontae Caldwell, 24, of Las Vegas, was charged with possession of a stolen firearm by the same complaint. Newman and Hill are former convicted felons. In 2013, Newman was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery and pandering. In 2004, Hill was convicted of attempted murder with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, and in 2010, in both federal and state court, he was found guilty for being a felon in possession of a firearm. It is illegal for a felon to possess a firearm.

According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 27, 2017, during the course of an investigation into a criminal street gang and human trafficking, law enforcement observed a live Snapchat video that depicted Newman, a self-proclaimed “Wood” street gang member involved in illegal activities, holding and firing a semi-automatic Draco pistol in an indoor shooting range with Hill, Caldwell, and others. In the Snapchat videos, the defendants discussed what kind of firearms they had in their possession and were shooting. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers and detectives arrived at the indoor shooting range and observed the defendants placing a cardboard box into a vehicle’s trunk, then driving to an apartment. Newman, Hill, and Caldwell were arrested for probable cause. At the time of arrest, Caldwell had a 9mm semi-automatic EEA SAR Arms in his pants pocket and a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun in a bag he discarded while attempting to escape apprehension. The .45 caliber was reported as stolen in Mesa, Arizona. During the execution of a search warrant of their vehicle and apartment, law enforcement found a .40 caliber semi-automatic Glock 23; a Draco 7.62X39mm pistol; a Master Piece Arm 9mm pistol with a 3” barrel; and a .40 caliber Glock 27, magazine wells, and ammunition.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina D. Silva.

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