Man Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Stolen Firearms

LAS VEGAS - A Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to trafficking stolen firearms was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 30 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release.

According to court documents, Ky'von Love Bernard Payne admitted that on March 25, 2024, he and co-defendant Semaj'e Ridgeway possessed 35 stolen firearms - including a semiautomatic rifle, semiautomatic pistols, and a long rifle - inside Ridgeway's residence in North Las Vegas. Many of the stolen firearms had price tags and descriptions attached to them from a licensed firearms dealer located in Southern California. Payne further admitted that, on that same day, co-defendants Jahova Bell and Lanell Bellows exchanged a 5.56x45mm semiautomatic rifle and cash for two of the stolen pistols.

Payne pleaded guilty to one count of possession of stolen firearms and one count of trafficking in firearms.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge John Wester for the San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

If you have information about gun violence or any illegal activities that involve firearms, you are urged to contact ATF by calling 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477).

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