Alleged child molester arrested after standoff

Heather Rawlyk

Friday, Jan. 23, 2004 | 9:46 a.m.

Metro Police arrested Darrin J. Franklin, an alleged child molester who had been a youth programs volunteer at a local church, Thursday after he barricaded himself in a northwest Las Vegas apartment and trying to coax police to shoot and kill him, authorities said.

Franklin allegedly had previously told police that he had a gun and if they tried to arrest him "it would be a bloodbath."

He is charged with sexual assault of a victim under 16, lewdness with a minor under 14, statutory sexual seduction and resisting officers.

Acting on a tip, police surrounded to Building 8 of the Boulders at Lone Mountain apartment complex at 3450 N. Hualapai Way, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sergeant Rick Barela said.

Six of the building's residents were evacuated to the courtyard, Barela said.

The Challenger School, a charter school nearby, was also put into lock down, Barela said. Classes were moved to the east side of the school, away from the possible line of fire, he added.

Police spent several hours trying to contact Franklin, Barela said. After several attempts failed, police used a concussion grenade to get Franklin's attention at 3:15 p.m.

After that small but loud explosion police were able to talk to Franklin on his cell phone, Barela said.

SWAT and negotiation teams took over and began trying to get Franklin to surrender.

After one hour of negotiation, Franklin came out of a second-floor apartment with one handgun pointed to his head and another at his side, Barela said.

"Franklin was demanding officers to shoot him and take his life," Barela said. "We told him we wanted to negotiate and for this to end peacefully."

During the commotion, a SWAT team officer used a distracting tactic, Barela said. Once Franklin was distracted, police moved in and took Franklin into custody at 4:13 p.m.

"It was a long standoff, but it worked out," Barela said. "We've got some of the best SWAT and negotiators and I think they've proven to the city that they're good. We got our guy, and nobody was hurt or shot."

After that, police obtained a warrant for his arrest, charging him with sex offenses involving several boys.

Police initially believed Franklin might be in California. But after receiving several tips, detectives tracked him down in Las Vegas.

Franklin's name was listed on the apartment's lease, Barela said. Police would not say if Franklin's name was the only one listed on the lease.