Feds: Arrest linked to Vegas "teen militia" plot

Jake Benton Howell, 18, who was arrested with an unloaded assault rifle at a Las Vegas high school on Dec. 21, 2012, is seen in this photo released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. / AP/Las Vegas Metro PD

LAS VEGAS A teenager arrested last week with an unloaded assault rifle at a Las Vegas high school has been linked by counterterrorism investigators to another local teen who federal authorities said stockpiled guns and explosives and spoke about staging a mass casualty attack.

Police already were looking for 18-year-old Jake Benton Howell when he arrived at his former school on Dec. 21 with 40 rounds of ammunition and a 7.62mm SKS rifle in the back seat of his car, according to a police report released Thursday.

Authorities had been checking reports that associates and friends of Steven Matthew Fernandes planned an action against the school, Northwest Career and Technical Academy, as revenge for Fernandes being held in federal custody, according to the police report.

Howell's name was on a list that police and school officials compiled of current and former students with whom Fernandes associated at the 1,900-student campus.

Howell, now a student at Utah Valley University, was unarmed when he was confronted by a school police lieutenant. Police said he made no threats and caused no disturbance before his arrest. He told authorities he drove 400 miles from Orem, Utah, to visit favorite former teachers.

"Everything worked right," Clark County School District police Capt. Ken Young said Thursday. "We were looking into the rumors. Things came together and we were able to find a weapon at the school without an incident."

Howell later acknowledged his friendship with Fernandes, who he identified as the founder of a militia group called the 327th Recon Unit of Nevada. But he said he didn't know of any plot against the school.

Investigators also found a compressed air pellet gun, camouflage backpacks and military-style uniforms, food, water and survival gear in Howell's car. He told investigators he collected the items in anticipation of the collapse of society.

Howell was arrested on five charges of possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds after police seized the gun and ammunition, a 16-inch bayonet and three large survival-style knives from the car. He was being held at the Clark County jail in Las Vegas pending a Jan. 8 court appearance.

Possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds is a gross misdemeanor in Nevada that carries a possible penalty of a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal first reported the link between the two students.

Fernandes, also a former student at the high school, has been in federal custody since his arrest Sept. 13 driving to work at a RadioShack. Police found a loaded shotgun and ammunition in his car and reported seizing five rifles, four handguns and thousands of rounds of ammunition from his home, along with "The Anarchist's Cookbook" how-to manual for manufacturing explosives.

Federal prosecutors have cited an email in which the 18-year-old Fernandes described himself as the commanding officer of 327th Nevada Militia, an urban survivalist unit with six or seven members. Authorities said he told a confidential FBI informant that he could kill more than the 12 slain in a theater last July in Aurora, Colo., that he would like to use children in a day care center for target practice and that he could attack the Las Vegas Strip.

He was indicted Sept. 25 on federal charges of possession of unregistered firearms, making firearms in violation of the National Firearms Act and transporting explosive materials. He has pleaded not guilty. Trial is scheduled in February.

Fernandes' lawyer, Crystal Eller, said Thursday that the two teens were friends, but she hadn't spoken with Fernandes about Howell and she didn't know the extent of their relationship.

Eller characterized the militia group as "a small group of teenage boys camping, hiking, hanging out and playing Army, basically."

She acknowledged that the claims by federal prosecutors in her case sounded "scary," but that Fernandes hadn't committed any crimes.

"We judge people based on what they do, not on what they say," the attorney said. "What has he actually done? He never hurt anybody."

Howell's public defender, Dedree Smart Miles, declined to comment.

Las Vegas police didn't immediately respond to questions about the investigation. Agent Patrick Turner, spokesman for the FBI office in Las Vegas, declined comment.

[skeezix06]

By the way. ABC is reporting gunfire inside the police station which would appear to destroy the NRA gun-free zones/soft target argument.

[junkkicker20]

Yes, it was started from someone who was being "held" in custody, ot from an attacker. How does that happen? Get your facts strait before you bloviate.

[skeezix06]

It was breaking news when I posted this. I went to work after that.

Hint: Personal insults are what people turn to when they have no counter argument.

[GossamerWings]

"He told investigators he collected the items in anticipation of the collapse of society." Didn't Adam's mom stock pile weapons in "anticipation of the collapse of society"? Where are they getting their information and fear from??? This kid is a total nut job. Don't let this one out. I consider him a terrorist and he should be punished as a terrorist. This really makes me sick "FBI informant that he could kill more than the 12 slain in a theater last July in Aurora, Colo., that he would like to use children in a day care center for target practice and that he could attack the Las Vegas Strip." Seriously, what a piece of trash wanting to kill children in a daycare center.

[skeezix06]

They get their information and fear from right wing talk show hosts.

[skeezix06]

I don't think calling a person trash gains anything but setting that aside. How do you explain the knives, bayonet, the Anarchist's cookbook, and the email?

Have you ever really listened to these right wing talk show hosts who use the word enemy to describe anyone who isn't as conservative as they profess to be? There are people who are unstable or gullible enough to believe them. This kid may be one of them.

[rwsmith29456]

"Authorities said he told a confidential FBI informant that he could kill more than the 12 slain in a theater last July in Aurora, Colo., that he would like to use children in a day care center for target practice and that he could attack the Las Vegas Strip." Sounds like your typical troubled teen.

[democracy8]

That was in reference to his friend, Fernandez, not this kid. But otherwise, yup.

[junkkicker20]

Again, what is happening to innocent until proof of guilt? Seems like chest beating hormonal drunk'n talk to me, but I am sure something is going down if the FBI is on it.

[kbbpll]

NRA poster boys

[Solarrays247]

Yep.

[junkkicker20]

No, this is what the current left wants you to believe as NRA. I suggest you look up "the Weathermen" or the "Weather Underground". Another more contemporary reference look up "the Prairie Fire Organizing Committee". Also, the "May 19th Communist Organization" and it's alliance with the "Black Liberation Army".

[ThomasSense]

Whose rights take precedence? A person that has a ton of ammunition, guns, and a desire to make explosives; or my rights to "pursue happiness." There has to be a limit on what is needed for self-defense and where they can carry this gun.
This gets close to the movie "Minority Report," where law enforcement tries to prevent a crime before it happens. But these guys are paranoid and crazy in their talk and actions.

[rwsmith29456]

There is a limit and he went beyond that limit on several counts. The article states: "He was indicted Sept. 25 on federal charges of possession of unregistered firearms, making firearms in violation of the National Firearms Act and transporting explosive materials."

[rwsmith29456]

Also: "Howell was arrested on five charges of possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds after police seized the gun and ammunition, a 16-inch bayonet and three large survival-style knives from the car."

[eroteme2]

Unloaded assault rifle? Who was this tv guru who held up a fake 30-round clip? Is their a similarity?

[skeezix06]

No. The kid with the assault rifle is where he should be. The NRA and the gun nuts are trying to intimidate the tv show host in particular and the media in general into either reporting things from the NRA point of view only or not at all.

[Mayagrafix]

Now it's going to be against the law to be a survivalist. Smart move, Feds, make the wackos even more neurotic by throwing the book at "a small group of teenage boys camping, hiking, hanging out and playing Army" in order to get some publicity.

Get real. Station armed guards at all schools and be done with targets of opportunity. Besides, the USA needs the jobs.

Long live the Republic! ;>)

[stevex47]

So... we need more guns at schools because there are too many guns at schools?

I thought birthers like you, were against more government in our lives?

Why dont you go to russia or israel or something..and take ted nugent with you.

[GossamerWings]

Oh don't even go there. This piece of trash threatened children at school. He had no business showing up at the school with weapons.