An arsenal of more than 80 firearms, two dozen badges and drug paraphernalia were seized by police and federal agents searching property owned and rented by Boulder City’s (Nevada) chief constable.
Larry Markotay was arrested on drunken driving charges Feb. 22 and charged with burglary last week. In the latter case, police accused the 42-year-old of stealing guns that belonged to his ex-girlfriend.
After the second arrest, police officers, along with agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms searched Markotay’s home, office and storage units.
The DEA said it received credible information that Markotay had obtained excessive amounts of prescription drugs. It’s unknown what type of drug paraphernalia was seized during the search.
Authorities did release descriptions of the 85 guns confiscated. Among them were 35 rifles and six shotguns. At least two of the rifles were fully automatic. One of the guns had its serial number “obliterated,” according to police.
ATF agents got involved in the investigation because, police said, the quantity and type of guns seized “appear to exceed the operational requirements of the Boulder City Township Constable’s office.” You think?
The job of chief constable, an elected position in Clark County, permits Markotay to carry a firearm. But records of his gun purchases are either missing or non-existent, police said.
Also found during the search were badges from various agencies, including a Boulder City police captain’s badge. Authorities did not say how the badges could have been obtained.
After his initial drunken driving arrest, detectives questioned Markotay’s ex-girlfriend, who said he bought several guns for her during their relationship.
She also said he gave her a deputy constable badge, although she never took any sort of training or certification course that would be necessary for the position.
Markotay remains in custody.
A registered Republican, he is wrapping up his current four-year term as constable and faces re-election in the fall.
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