OPD: 3 juveniles facing weapon charges, 5 handguns recovered in search

Three juveniles — all with prior charges — were arrested Monday and face new weapon-related charges following an investigation by the Owensboro Police Department. According to OPD, five handguns — two of which were reported stolen — were recovered during a search.

According to a release, OPD officers on Monday developed information regarding the possible location of a juvenile suspected in several recent firearm discharge incidents. Officers established a perimeter at the location and made contact with the occupants. Detectives responded to the scene and obtained a search warrant for the residence. 

During the search, officers recovered five handguns from inside the residence, according to OPD. One of the handguns had been reported stolen to the Lexington Police Department in 2021. A second handgun was reported stolen to the Owensboro Police Department on April 28, 2022. This second handgun had been illegally converted to be fully automatic and had an extended magazine. 

Three juveniles were ultimately charged with a variety of offenses and lodged in Warren Regional Juvenile Detention. 

Juvenile No. 1 was charged with: 

∙ Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm) – 1 Count 

∙ Possession of Handgun by Minor, 1^st Offense – 5 Counts 

∙ Wanton Endangerment, 1^st Degree (Complicity) – 5 Counts 

∙ Receiving Stolen Property, Over $1,000 but less than $10,000 – 1 Count 

∙ Contempt of Court – 1 Count 

Juvenile No. 1 has previously been charged with: 

∙ Trafficking in Controlled Substance, 1^st Degree, 1^st Offense (Opiates) (Enhancement) 

∙ Possession of Handgun by Minor, 1^st Offense 

∙ Trafficking in Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of School (Enhancement) 

∙ Unlawful Possession of Weapon on School Property 

∙ Possession of Handgun by Minor, 1^st Offense 

∙ Trafficking in Marijuana (Less than 8oz) 1^st Offense (Enhancement) 

∙ Fleeing or Evading Police, 1^st Degree (Motor Vehicle) – 2 Counts 

∙ Fleeing or Evading Police, 2^nd Degree (On Foot) 

∙ Criminal Trespassing, 3^rd Degree 

∙ Resisting Arrest 

∙ Wanton Endangerment, 1^st Degree 

∙ Reckless Driving – 2 Counts 

∙ Speeding 26 mph or more – 2 Counts 

∙ Operating Motor Vehicle under Influence Substance, 1^st Degree – 2 Counts 

Juvenile No. 2 was charged with: 

∙ Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm) – 1 Count 

∙ Possession of Handgun by Minor, 1^st Offense – 5 Counts 

∙ Wanton Endangerment – 1^st Degree (Complicity) – 5 Counts 

∙ Receiving Stolen Property, Over $1,000 but less than $10,000 – 1 Count 

Juvenile No. 2 has previously been charged with: 

∙ Assault 2^nd Degree, Domestic Violence 

∙ Assault 4^th Degree, Domestic Violence (No Visible Injury) 

Juvenile No. 3 was charged with: 

∙ Receiving Stolen Property (Firearm) – 1 Count 

∙ Possession of Handgun by Minor, 1^st Offense – 5 Counts 

Juvenile # 3 has previously been charged with: 

∙ Possession of Handgun by Minor, 1^st Offense 

“As with several of our recent firearms related incidents, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division have provided information to our Federal Law Enforcement Partners regarding illegally purchased/possessed firearms including the converted fully automatic firearm seized during this investigation,” according to a release from OPD.