Possession of Deadly Weapon by Prohibited Person/Theft

DATE & TIME: 07-19-2017 / 1800

LOCATION: North Central Gage County/West Buckeye Road

OFFENSE: Possession of a Deadly Weapon By a Prohibited Person

               Theft By Receiving (Possession of Stolen Property)

CASE #: 2017-3955

On Wednesday, 07-19-2017, a Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator was contacted by a Lancaster County investigator who stated they had just arrested 29-year-old Samuel Starkey in Lincoln on a federal warrant for intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person (possession of a firearm by a felon) and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office was requesting a check of a residence in the 300 block of West Buckeye Road for additional drugs or weapons.  The Lancaster County investigator stated Samuel Starkey had a connection to persons at and to that residence.

A Gage County investigator, a uniformed deputy, and the Gage County Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputy with his canine service animal, drove to the residence and made contact with the homeowner.  After explaining the request from Lancaster County, the homeowner granted consent for the investigator to check the residence for guns and drugs. 

The Gage County investigator located a suspicious bag in an upstairs room that appeared as if it was being used for storage, and after obtaining permission from the homeowner, the bag was opened and three weapons were found inside; a Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol, a KelTec 9mm rifle, and an Inter Ordinance AK-47 rifle. The homeowner did not know how the bag or weapons got into the house so the bag and weapons were seized by the Gage County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the Lancaster County case.  The serial numbers on the AK-47 were checked through Southeast Communications in Beatrice and the weapon was confirmed as having been reported stolen in Lincoln, Nebraska.

A small amount of ammunition, but no other weapons or drugs were found during a search of the residence.  It was confirmed that Samuel Starkey had connections to the residence and has been at the house, possibly with weekly or even more frequent visits.  Lancaster County was contacted and the weapons were turned over to that agency for use in the ongoing investigation and court case up there.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office will continue to assist the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office with their investigation if any follow-up is required to be conducted in Gage County.

At this time, no charges are expected to be filed in Gage County and all evidence and prosecution for possible criminal violations will be deferred to Lancaster County and/or federal courts.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310

Deputy C. Bebensee #9039/Buster #K9039

Deputy Z. Smith #90325