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Updated: 10:49 PM Jun 13, 2008
Undercover Investigation Busts Illegal Gun, Drug Shop
An eight-month undercover investigation came to a head Thursday as police arrested six people accused of running an illegal firearm and drug shop out of a Colorado Springs tattoo parlor.
Posted: 2:33 PM Jun 13, 2008Reporter: KKTV Email Address: News@kktv.com |
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An eight-month undercover investigation came to a head Thursday as police arrested six people accused of running an illegal firearm and drug shop out of a Colorado Springs tattoo parlor.
Beginning in November 2007, detectives followed up on a tip that employees at Shrap Metal Tattoo located at 2928 Parker St. in Colorado Springs were selling narcotics and firearms from within the shop.
Over the next eight months, undercover detectives allegedly purchased firearms, including AK-47 type machine guns, and marijuana from employees and associates at Shrap Metal Tattoo.
Thursday, nearly 100 law enforcement officers from the Colorado Springs Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the Teller County Sheriff’s Office arrested six people in connection with the case.
Investigators say they found 74 firearms, including two machine guns and two silencers at 30855 Vorenberg Rd., in Calhan. The property is owned by Shrap Metal Tattoo owner Shawn Jackson.
The following people were arrested under the following circumstances:
Clayson Pearce, 27, was arrested on a Federal charge of Possession of a machine gun, after he allegedly met detectives at the Citadel Mall to sell three AK-47 type machine guns and two military style ballistic vests.
Phillip McCall, 35, was taken into custody for a Federal charge of Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm at the Shrap Metal Tattoo. Police say they found money, drug paraphernalia and one firearm.
Jennifer McNeil, 32, and Ralph McNeil, 39, were located at 825 Valkenburg Dr. and arrested for distribution of hashish. During the search, detectives say they found money, 41.9 grams of high grade marijuana, 61.8 grams of hashish, and 17.2 grams of psilocybin (mushrooms).
Shrap Metal Tattoo employee Benjamin Vanornum, 24, was arrested for his involvement in allegedly selling undercover detectives marijuana from within Shrap Metal Tattoo. He was charged with Distribution of Marijuana.
Ryan Middleton, age 27, was also arrested on an unrelated Failure to Appear Warrant.
Charges on Shrap Metal Tattoo owner, Shawn Jackson, are pending.
Police say they also found several items used to make machine guns at Precision Motors located at 316 East Fillmore Street. The owner of the business tells 11 News the items were found in an employee's toolbox, and says his business was not involved in the manufacturing in any way.
Latest Comments
m and b said "whats wrong with this world is that we hear more of the bad then good" okay so the fact that tattoos are invovled it makes it okay for this conduct to happen. tell the ppl who are gonna get mowed down by a machine gun, "hay its okay they do great tats, brah" if this owner is making as much money thats thrown around,he would have to do 26 tats/piercings a month @100 a rip all year. that doesnt include employee earnings,overhead,insurance, and equipment. I pray for the family that they understand his intentions but not be naive so much to overlook their own futures.its a free country but our forefathers didnt include "the right to manufacture unlicensed firearms from a tattoos shops money in the constitution". now did they. i guess one tat dude spent/saved all his money earned to fund this operation.
I used to get all of myy tattoos done at shrap byy phil. he is bomb. mayybe his charges are real, but i havent gotten a tattoo done since he got taken from shrap.
oops I am sorry it was bought by a cop?? if they had good reason to go in and do what they did they sure in hell would of not had to do what they did. it was one man with a bad intention and just happen to work there...
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