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Authorities searched the Gold Canyon home of a veteran Mesa civilian police officer Thursday suspecting that he illegally sold firearms — including some they believe were used in crimes and at least one sold on duty, police announced Wednesday.
Officials said they found 223 guns in the home of Larry Cheatham, 56, who has worked in the city about 25 years assisting with traffic investigations and property recovery.
Cheatham has been placed on paid suspension. He has not been arrested, but the case will be presented to the U.S. attorney in Arizona for possible prosecution, said Bill Newell, the Phoenix special agent in charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“There’s a lot of guns out there right now that Mr. Cheatham allegedly sold, and we don’t know when that gun is going to show up in a crime,†Newell said.
To date, federal records show Cheatham has bought 75 firearms since 2006 and 147 throughout his life. Newell said the man purchased the weapons legally, but he is suspected of breaking the law when he sold them without a license.
Police said so far, six of Cheatham’s firearms were recovered as crime guns, including one in California and one in Alabama. The guns were not used in murders or shootings, authorities said.
However, officials are concerned about the remaining missing guns — and how the case reflects on the Police Department.
“This is really an embarrassment to us,†Mesa police Chief George Gascón said. “We’re here right up front to tell you we have absolutely no tolerance for this behavior.â€
Authorities said guns sold by licensed dealers can be tracked, but when unlicensed people sell the weapons, they can end up in the hands of criminals.
Newell said undercover agents made eight purchases from Cheatham since March 5, and on March 13, Cheatham even met up with an undercover agent while on duty and in uniform.
During the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Arizona State Fairgrounds last weekend, undercover agents bought guns from the man, who they said had an inventory of 40 long guns and 15 handguns for sale at his booth.
Bob Templeton, who owns the traveling gun show, said he was not aware anyone was selling guns illegally at his show. He said he was never told federal authorities were conducting investigations there, but he supports their efforts and does not want people operating outside of the law at his shows.
“Unless they are selling as a hobby in an occasional basis, then they need to have a license,†Templeton said.
Police Cmdr. John Meza said Cheatham worked under him for more than a year at the department. Meza described the civilian as “quiet†and someone who “just did his job.†He said he was one of the most senior civilian officers at the department.
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