47°F
weather icon Clear

Goldfield man convicted on federal gun charges

LAS VEGAS — A longtime resident of Goldfield was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison and three years of supervised release after he was found to have improperly possessed and attempted to purchase firearms, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

Michael Rippie, 67, was sentenced Nov. 15 in Las Vegas by U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro after a jury found him guilty on Aug. 9 of possession of a firearm by a person previously found to be a mental defective and committed to a mental institution and making false statements to acquire firearms.

Rippie was arrested and charged in the case in April. He was later released from custody pending trial with special conditions at which time he resided with his former wife in Pahrump.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, court records show Rippie was adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity in 1971 for a 1970 armed robbery in Colorado and was committed to a mental institution.

On Sept. 10, 2010, Rippie was then reported to have knowingly made a false written statement to a firearms dealer in Tonopah in an attempt to purchase a long gun, stating that he had not been adjudicated a mental defective or committed to a mental institution.

On April 10, 2013, Rippie was arrested at his home in Goldfield with 15 firearms, including two loaded semi-automatic assault-type rifles with extended 30-round clips and a loaded semi-automatic .40 caliber pistol. The U.S. Attorney’s office also stated Rippie was found in possession of more than 22,000 rounds of ammunition at his residence.

Rippie is reportedly well-known to law enforcement in the Goldfield and Tonopah areas and had one conviction and 13 arrests over the last 48 years, six of which involved firearms.

Rippie was placed in federal custody immediately following sentencing.

“Federal laws prohibit certain individuals from prohibiting (sic) firearms, including felons, drug addicts, illegal aliens, persons convicted of domestic violence offenses or subject to restraining orders, and persons who have been previously adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to mental institution,” U.S. Attorney Bogden said in a prepared statement. “Too many recent shooting incidents have demonstrated how dangerous firearms can be when they are in the hands of someone with a mental disorder. We will work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that persons who unlawfully possess firearms in violation of these laws are prosecuted federally.”

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.