Staff Report
Karl Wayne Gilbert, a man with a felony conviction, was arrested Wednesday after police said he pawned a rifle in November.
Gilbert, 59, of Pea Ridge, was arrested in connection with six counts of possession of a firearm by certain persons, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Jail records list Gilbert's address as 1150 E. McCain in Tucson, Ariz. Pea Ridge documents list his address as 1801 N. Hayden Rd., Pea Ridge.
A routine check of firearm transactions at Castle Rental & Pawn in Pea Ridge displayed Gilbert's name on a recent transaction, according to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest. Police found records for a 1984 felony forgery conviction for Gilbert in Benton County, according to the affidavit.
Police went to the shop to investigate and employees at the shop said Gilbert brought in a rifle and wanted $70 for it in November to put toward a rented bed, according to the affidavit. He handed the rifle to employees and said he was going for a smoke but didn't come back for his money that day, employees told police.
Police searched his home on Tuesday, Jan. 19, according to the police report. Gilbert was arrested in connection with the pawned rifle.
The search found five additional guns, gun parts, ammunition, a small amount of marijuana and a grinder with marijuana residue. A police news release from Thursday afternoon said 10 guns were found.
Gilbert told police the guns he had were antiques, parts of guns, pellet guns or "wall hangers." He later told officers he did have ammunition matching some of the guns and was worried about ISIS.
Gilbert was being held Thursday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.
General News on 01/27/2016