Man accused in Metro officer’s death faces new charge

By Cara McCoy

Published Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 | 3:23 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 | 6:54 p.m.

The alleged gunman in the shooting death of Metro Police Officer Trevor Nettleton is facing an additional charge after an investigation linked him to an armed robbery that took place shortly before Nettleton was shot.

The robbery occurred in the same area of North Las Vegas where Nettleton — and the other young men suspected in the crime — lived.

North Las Vegas Police said Tuesday that Prentice Marshall, 18, is now facing an additional charge of robbery with a deadly weapon in connection with the robbery of an 18-year-old North Las Vegas man that allegedly happened at about 11:45 p.m. on Nov. 18 in the 1800 block of Grand Prairie Avenue.

Additionally, new details have emerged in the case with the release today of a report documenting the arrest of Michael Ferguson, 25, who is charged as an accessory in Nettleton’s murder.

Nettleton, a three-year Metro Police veteran, had arrived home from work when he was confronted and shot in his garage in the 1100 block of Emerald Stone Avenue, near Lone Mountain Road and Donna Street, shortly after midnight Nov. 19.

Nettleton wasn't in uniform when he was shot — first in the leg, followed by a fatal shot to the chest, authorities have said.

Police said the other robbery victim was walking home and was within a block of his house when he was confronted at gunpoint and had a number of personal items taken from him. The location was 4.4 miles from Nettleton’s home and the incident happened less than an hour before Nettleton was killed, authorities said.

Detectives had been investigating the possibility of a link between the robbery and Nettleton’s murder and booked Marshall, who was already in custody on charges in connection with Nettleton’s death, on Monday for the robbery, police said.

Michael Ferguson is facing one count of accessory to murder with a gang enhancement. The report released today further detailed his alleged role in the crime and outlined his relationship with the other suspects, which include his brother, Emmitt Ferguson, and Saul Williams Jr., 20, identified as his step-brother.

Williams and Marshall lived in a home in the 1100 block of Cliffbrook Hedge Avenue in North Las Vegas.

Marshall was arrested the day of the crime at University Medical Center, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound to the testicles. Williams and Adrian Pena, 17, also were arrested Nov. 19. Pena is charged as an adult.

The Fergusons and 18-year-old Quadrae Scott were arrested as the police investigation continued. The six allegedly belong to the Woods gang.

Police said Williams called both Michael and Emmitt Ferguson from the North Las Vegas jail and asked them to conceal a weapon allegedly used in the crime.

According to Michael Ferguson’s arrest report, police found a .40-caliber shell casing in the Nettletons’ garage. Phone calls from the jail were monitored and Williams was heard asking Michael Ferguson “where are the toys.” Michael Ferguson told Williams they were in the “B” room, the report says.

Another report documenting the arrest of Emmitt Ferguson indicated that Williams told him over the phone to take the “H,” meaning “heat,” from the “B,” meaning “bathroom,” and put it in the “A,” meaning attic. Emmit Ferguson later confirmed during an interview with police that the letters stood for “heat,” “bathroom,” and “attic.” He told police he had indicated to Williams that the gun was safe and no one would find it; he told Williams, according to police, that he would trade the gun after the situation “cooled off.”

A preliminary search of the alleged getaway vehicle and the home on Cliffbrook Hedge had yielded no firearms, police said.

A search warrant was obtained after police reviewed the calls from the jail. Police found two guns in the attic entrance, located in the bathroom of the residence on Cliffbrook Hedge, according to the report. One gun was a .40-caliber handgun, which police said was likely used in the shooting.

Police have called Nettleton’s shooting a botched robbery attempt. An arrest report released last month indicated Marshall told police that he was the gunman.

Williams, Marshall, Scott and Pena are charged with one count each of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang; as well as one count each of conspiracy to commit robbery; burglary while in possession of a firearm and attempted robbery, all with criminal gang enhancements.

Emmitt Ferguson and Michael Ferguson are facing charges of accessory to murder with gang enhancements.

All six remain in custody. A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 17 in North Las Vegas Justice Court.