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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     December 9, 2000
NEWS FROM: Division of Parole and Probation                                                           00-143

Parole and Probation Officers Uncover Stockpile of Weapons and Explosives
Probationer hides cache at Carson City residence

Parole and Probations officers' discovery of a huge cache of weapons and explosives led to the December 1 arrest of Gregory John Whitten, 47, of Carson City. Tips that probationer Whitten had applied for a hunting license led officers to the arsenal hidden in his home at 987 Hillside Drive in Carson City. Thirteen live grenade fuses, improvised grenades, riot tear gas, MAC 10 machine guns, Glock .45 caliber revolvers, shotguns, rifles and many other weapons were among the seizure.

Whitten, on probation supervision from Minnesota, was convicted on February 18, 2000 on the charge of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. He requested a transfer of his probation from Minnesota to Nevada and was accepted by Nevada Parole and Probation on April 17, 2000.

Nevada Parole and Probation officers followed up on leads that Whitten had applied for a Division of Wildlife game tag. After a search of his vehicle and his residence on December 1, the discovery of the weapons and explosives was made at the Carson City address. The Tahoe-Douglas County Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were contacted and seized the weapons.

Parole and Probation Acting Chief Warren Lutzow praised the efforts of his officers. "This seizure is an excellent example of proactive supervision and investigative follow-up. All the officers involved in the arrest are to be commended for getting these weapons and explosives off the street."

Whitten was charged with probation violations and is currently being held at the Douglas County Jail. Charges are also pending from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

For more information on this case, contact Parole and Probation officer Renee Tierney at 775-782-2938.

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