New Details Released in Abilene Gold Exchange Investigation
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: December 14, 2012
"In 2012, Abilene detectives learned that there were numerous firearms inside Abilene Gold Exchange," says Chief Stan Standridge.
The police department also learned, one of the business owners, Charles Camp, was a convicted felon.
That is when the department began working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms for consideration of charges.
In July of 2012, APD investigated a residential burglary in south Abilene where Christopher Thompson and Mark Session stole rings, a Rolex watch and four guns, then sold these items to Abilene Gold Exchange.
One of those guns was used by 17-year-old, Keegan Clark, who shot a 12-year old boy in the head critically injuring him. That child was one of two kids who were innocent bystanders during a botched drug deal.
The police department was unable to recover any of the stolen property and the business did not to produce a transaction receipt for the purchase of that property.
In November, Abilene detectives began investigating another residential burglary where $125,000 in property was stolen.
Meanwhile, police contacted Abilene Gold Exchange and learned the business was not reporting transactions pursuant to state law. Which is why they applied for and served a search warrant to the business on December 13th.
"Four officers entered the business while other officers secured the perimeter. The officers identified themselves and announced their purpose," Chief Standridge explains.
According to police, Marcus Cass was shot and killed by one of the officers after drawing his gun and threatening one of the officers.
While police were in Abilene Gold Exchange serving the first warrant, they noticed several fire arms in plain sight, which prompted them to apply for a second warrant. During the application, police learned co-owners of the business also leased an adjacent office building on South Danville, so a third warrant was requested.
"Results of those searches have revealed approximately $60,000 in currency, 131 fire arms, 63,000 rounds of ammunition," Chief Standridge adds.
Shortly after midnight on December 14th, business owner, Charles Camp was arrested.
His attorney, Randy Williams, describes the investigation, as far as it concerns his client, as a bit spooky.
"The fact that they served misdemeanor search warrants and in that misdemeanor search warrant there was nothing about any guns or firearms. It was all about recovering documents," says Williams.
The police department also learned, one of the business owners, Charles Camp, was a convicted felon.
That is when the department began working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms for consideration of charges.
In July of 2012, APD investigated a residential burglary in south Abilene where Christopher Thompson and Mark Session stole rings, a Rolex watch and four guns, then sold these items to Abilene Gold Exchange.
One of those guns was used by 17-year-old, Keegan Clark, who shot a 12-year old boy in the head critically injuring him. That child was one of two kids who were innocent bystanders during a botched drug deal.
The police department was unable to recover any of the stolen property and the business did not to produce a transaction receipt for the purchase of that property.
In November, Abilene detectives began investigating another residential burglary where $125,000 in property was stolen.
Meanwhile, police contacted Abilene Gold Exchange and learned the business was not reporting transactions pursuant to state law. Which is why they applied for and served a search warrant to the business on December 13th.
"Four officers entered the business while other officers secured the perimeter. The officers identified themselves and announced their purpose," Chief Standridge explains.
According to police, Marcus Cass was shot and killed by one of the officers after drawing his gun and threatening one of the officers.
While police were in Abilene Gold Exchange serving the first warrant, they noticed several fire arms in plain sight, which prompted them to apply for a second warrant. During the application, police learned co-owners of the business also leased an adjacent office building on South Danville, so a third warrant was requested.
"Results of those searches have revealed approximately $60,000 in currency, 131 fire arms, 63,000 rounds of ammunition," Chief Standridge adds.
Shortly after midnight on December 14th, business owner, Charles Camp was arrested.
His attorney, Randy Williams, describes the investigation, as far as it concerns his client, as a bit spooky.
"The fact that they served misdemeanor search warrants and in that misdemeanor search warrant there was nothing about any guns or firearms. It was all about recovering documents," says Williams.
Comments
I agree with [censored] Williams here, this is spooky. And it should scare anyone with a business and a gun to legally defend that business... Robbers aren't the only people to fear. Where does a man's right to protect himself end, and an officer right begin? This might be important information for both citizens and cops to clearly know. If Mr. Cass encountered armed unknown men dressed in street clothes in an area unauthorized for them to be, then he surely had every right to hold a gun on them until he identified who they were and why they were there. He also had every reason not to obey verbal commands of "drop your weapon" when he didn't know who they were or what the were doing there. Had he been hostile towards them he would have pulled his trigger, which he did not do. He simply wanted to understand what was happening before allowing himself to be venerable to armed men in his personal space. They are [censored] lucky he didn't shoot first and ask questions later. He would still be alive had HE acted hastily.
Not that it matters now, but why didn't they just allow Mr. Camp to lead them back to notify Mr. Cass of what was happening. Sounds so simple doesn't it? This reminds me of another stupid move by the ATF once, a long time ago ... In Waco where innocent people and law enforcement needlessly lost their lives too.
If the APD handles this incident like the ATF handled that then, we'll just have to look forward to the next time this happens again, because it will happen again.
I can no more blame the cops than I can Mr. Cass... Bad things happen in grey areas.
Tammi T.
December 17, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Guess what... Texas law allows even known felons the right to own guns five years after pay their debt to society ... It's been 35 years since Mr. Camp became a "felon".
Tammi T.
December 17, 2012 at 3:32 pm
The dead business owner is the only thing that doesn't make sense. Mr. Cass never fired his gun.I simply thank God Mr. Cass had more self control than the police officers, or we would have two people dead.
Tammi T.
December 16, 2012 at 9:48 pm
If the guns belonged to Mr. Cass so what? Ammo isn't illegal, even 63000 rounds. And due to the fact they offered cash for gold 60,000 dollars isn't strange, and with $60,000 dollars and gold laying around the guns make sense too!!!
Tammi T.
December 16, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Bob T.
December 15, 2012 at 3:04 pm
