Las Vegas Faith Leader’s Arrest Stuns Local Community

Las Vegas Faith Leader's Arrest Stuns Local Community

The community reels as a trusted Las Vegas pastor is arrested for possessing guns and drugs in a startling revelation.

At a Glance

  • Evangelical pastor David McGee was arrested in Las Vegas for carrying guns and drugs in his hotel room.
  • The arrest initially triggered a counter-terrorism response.
  • McGee faces numerous charges related to drugs and firearms, including possessing an AR-15.
  • McGee traveled to Las Vegas to find his daughter living in flood control tunnels, where the homeless population of Las Vegas tends to congregate.

Pastor David McGee Arrested

Las Vegas Metro police arrested 61-year-old evangelical pastor David McGee on August 20. Found with firearms and illegal drugs in his hotel room, McGee’s arrest stirred significant community distress. McGee, once a beacon of spiritual guidance, now faces grave allegations that have shocked many who looked up to him as a moral leader.

Authorities discovered the weapons and drugs after McGee reported a missing piece of property. Upon searching his room at the Strat Hotel Casino & Tower, police found multiple firearms, including an AR-15 with a scope, and suspected fentanyl pills and powder. These discoveries immediately raised concerns about McGee’s intentions and led to a swift law enforcement response.

Charges and Allegations

McGee now faces serious drug and gun-related charges. During the investigation, he admitted to transporting fentanyl from North Carolina, purportedly worth about $1,000, claiming it was intended for his daughter. Authorities also found a gun in his guitar case and a previously brought shotgun, further complicating his legal situation.

“Yes, I have a gun in my guitar case,” replied McGee when asked whether he had any weapons in the room.

McGee’s arrest drew immediate attention due to the potential threat assumed by the presence of an AR-15. This suspicion was amplified by social media posts falsely suggesting a failed terror plot, which police later refuted. The rapid escalation underlines the heightened state of alert in Las Vegas, especially following the 2017 mass shooting incident.

Community’s Response

Before his arrest, McGee served as the senior pastor at The Bridge Fellowship in North Carolina, which has since closed but continues its mission through online and radio presence. His congregation and the larger community are now grappling with the reality of his alleged double life.

McGee had traveled to Las Vegas with the declared intent of rescuing his daughter from the city’s flood control tunnels. His wife posted on social media, asking for prayers and sharing that McGee had made contact with their daughter. However, there are still many unanswered questions regarding his activities and claims.

“Pls [sic] pray for me as I go get my daughter from the worst [and] scariest place for my daughter in America… the Las Vegas tunnels,” – McGee’s social media post

Due to medical reasons, McGee did not appear for his probable cause hearing on August 21, and the judge has yet to set bail as the prosecutors had not filed a criminal complaint. He is expected back in court on December 19, leaving ample time for the community to process and question the ongoing investigation’s revelations.

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Sources:

  1. Las Vegas police arrest pastor with guns, drugs in hotel room: sources
  2. Pastor Arrested at Strat After Weapons, Drugs Found in Hotel Room – Report
  3. Winston-Salem pastor arrested for allegedly having guns, drugs in Las Vegas hotel room
  4. Pastor Arrested at Strat Hotel in Las Vegas over Drugs, Guns

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