Reporting Officer: Sergeant Paul Heredia
File # GE221380001
Details:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 4:30 P.M. the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force conducted a follow-up investigation related to an illegally possessed firearms arrest by Deputies from Indian Wells Special Enforcement Team that occurred on May 19, 2022. Gang Task Force Officers conducted a vehicle stop on Hwy 111 and Miles Avenue in Indian Wells. A search warrant was subsequently obtained to search the vehicle during which time Gang Task Force Officers located a concealed loaded 9mm semi-auto Handgun without a serial number, commonly referred to as a “Ghost Gun”. The driver of the vehicle Austin Edwards, 23 of Palm Desert was arrested at the scene.
At 5:30 P.M. Gang Task Force Officers served a search warrant at Edwards’ residence located in the 48000 block of Desert Flower Drive in Palm Desert. During the service of the search warrant Gang Task Force Officers located suspected cocaine, Xanax pills, a .45 caliber semi-auto Handgun and a 9mm semi-auto Handgun (Ghost Gun). A search of a secondary vehicle belonging to Edwards resulted in Gang Task Force Officers locating a 9mm AR Pistol (Ghost Gun). Edwards was charged with Possession of a Loaded Firearm with Narcotics, Possession of an Unregistered Handgun, Possession of a Concealed Firearm in a Vehicle and Committing a Felony while on Bail (At the time of this arrest Edwards was out on bail for a previous illegal possession of firearms arrest). Edwards was subsequently booked at John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.
Continuing with their investigation, at 11:15 P.M. Gang Task Force Officers served a search warrant at a residence located in the 29000 block of Avenida La Paz in Cathedral City. During the service of the search warrant, Gang Task Force Officers located suspected methamphetamine and multiple firearms to include firearms without serial numbers or “Ghost Guns.” Also located was equipment used in the manufacturing of firearms. Convicted Felon Brady Leatherman, 41 of Cathedral City was arrested at the residence. The illegally possessed weapons located at the residence included a 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle (Ghost Gun), .308 Rifle (Ghost Gun), .22 LR Rifle (Ghost Gun), Three 5.56 AR-15 Short Barrel Rifles (Ghost Guns), Five .223 AR-15 Rifles (Ghost Guns), a 12-Gauge Shotgun, .40 caliber semi-auto Handgun, .45 caliber 1911 semi-auto Handgun, 9mm semi-auto Handgun, Three 9mm semi-auto Handguns (Ghost Guns), and Two 9mm semi-auto handguns (Ghost Guns). Leatherman was charged with Possession of a Firearm with Narcotics, Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearms, Possession of Short Barreled Rifles, and Convicted Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Leatherman was subsequently booked at John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.
The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force is committed to creating safe and secure neighborhoods free of violent crime and gang activity. If you have any information about this crime, please contact CVVCGTF member Deputy Henson or Indian Wells SET Deputy K.Martinez at (760) 836-1600. If you have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, please use our online Gang Task Force Tip Form or call 951-922-7601.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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