British Man Who Was Arrested At Trump Rally In Las Vegas Indicted On Weapons And Disruption Charges

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The British man who was arrested two weeks ago at a Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas after he attempted to seize a law enforcement officer’s firearm, was indicted by the federal grand jury today on three felony charges, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.

Michael Steven Sandford, 20, of England, is charged with two counts of illegal alien in possession of a firearm and one count of impeding and disrupting the orderly conduct of government business and official functions.  If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. He is currently in federal custody and scheduled for an arraignment and plea hearing on July 6, at 3:00 p.m.

According to the indictment and previously filed criminal complaint, on June 17, 2016, Sandford, who is a British citizen and was unlawfully in the United States, allegedly went to a gun range in Las Vegas and took shooting lessons using a Glock 9 millimeter handgun.  The following day, on June 18, Sandford entered a political rally event for Donald Trump at the Mystere Theatre in the Treasure Island Casino.  The event was under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service, and there were posters at the entrance to the event designating the grounds as restricted and under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service.  Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers were also present at the rally to assist with security.  Inside the rally, Sandford approached a uniformed LVMPD officer and attempted to seize the officer’s Glock 9 millimeter handgun by grabbing the holster and handle of the firearm with both hands in an attempt to remove it from the holster.  Sandford was immediately arrested and removed from the rally.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared L. Grimmer.  

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.