Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

85 firearms seized in Boulder City constable probe

Updated Wednesday, March 17, 2010 | 1:30 p.m.

Click to enlarge photo

Larry Markotay

After Boulder City's constable was arrested March 10 on burglary and false documentation charges, officers served search warrants at his office, home and three storage areas and confiscated 85 firearms, as well as badges and drug paraphernalia, police said Monday.

Larry Markotay, 42, the chief constable of Boulder Township, was arrested after detectives served him with warrants at his home charging him with burglary while in possession of a firearm, three counts of grand larceny of a firearm and two counts of possession of stolen property.

Police said Markotay admitted to picking the lock at his ex-girlfriend’s house on Feb. 14 and taking several firearms. He said he had loaned his girlfriend the firearms before their breakup in August 2009, police said.

The woman told police Markotay gave her the firearms after he appointed her as reserve constable of the Boulder City Township in December 2008, a police report indicated. Markotay provided her with a deputy constable badge and identification card, authorizing her ability to conduct investigations and make arrests, police said.

Authorities said they found 85 firearms at his home, office and at storage areas, including 35 rifles and six shotguns. He also had more than 24 badges from various agencies, as well as a Boulder City Police captain badge. Authorities also found a firearm with an obliterated serial number and several items of drug paraphernalia in his office.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisted with the search, police said.

As acting constable, police said, Markotay needed to order the firearms for his job, however, documentation was missing, police said. Documentation was also missing for the appointment of Markotay's ex-girlfriend as reserve constable.

Police said the woman never attended a Peace Officer Standards and Training academy, nor did she receive a certificate as a peace officer. Authorities said Markotay also never swore the woman in as a peace officer under oath, according to Clark County Record's Office documents.

Nevada statutes require deputies appointed by the constable’s office to have their oath recorded with the county recorder. Markotay is accused of creating a false certificate for the woman.

Richard Clark, executive director of Nevada commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, said constables must meet certain requirements when appointing a reserve, however, a reserve can serve for one year without any training in Nevada.

If the woman didn't receive training after one year then she can't continue to hold that position, he said. It was unknown Monday if the woman is still serving as reserve constable.

Markotay is also facing charges of DUI and fleeing the scene of an accident after crashing his duty-vehicle into a light pole near Utah and Seventh streets on Feb. 22. A citizen called 911 to report that a car had crashed into a light pole and that the occupants had left on foot.

Boulder City Police arrested Markotay without incident in connection with the burglary on Wednesday. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center without bail.

Clark said Markotay’s peace officer certificate will be revoked if he is convicted of a gross misdemeanor for the crash or felony charges in connection with burglary.

Markotay's scheduled arraignment this morning in Henderson Justice Court was reset for 9 a.m. March 18 to give attorneys more time for negotiations. Authorities said he is no longer in custody.

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