CASPER, Wyo. — A Casper man, Richard Joseph McCloskey, was sentenced to 95 months in prison after a police investigation linked him to multiple thefts and auto burglaries. McCloskey, 36, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal in Cheyenne. With a prior felony burglary conviction in 2016, McCloskey was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Stolen Firearms and Gold Coins
One of the incidents involved the theft of a Koch MP7 and matching suppressor from an oil field worker’s truck who was in town for training. The victim, who had a federal firearms license, reported the firearms and gold coins worth about $40,000 missing from his vehicle parked at a hotel lot.
Insight: The high value of the stolen items highlights the lucrative nature of such crimes and the risks posed to individuals in possession of valuable items.
McCloskey’s Arrest
Surveillance footage showed McCloskey pawning two of the gold coins on the same day they were stolen, receiving $3,100, which he may have used to purchase fentanyl pills. The pawn shop manager alerted the police when McCloskey returned to sell another coin the following day. McCloskey was arrested, and the GMC Sierra he arrived in was reported stolen earlier in July.
Insight: The quick apprehension of McCloskey showcases the efficiency and collaboration between law enforcement and businesses, leading to successful outcomes in criminal investigations.
Ties to Auto Burglaries
A search of McCloskey’s storage unit linked him to multiple auto burglaries over the previous month, as reported by the Casper Police Department. This further solidified his involvement in a string of criminal activities.
Insight: The discovery of items in McCloskey’s storage unit emphasizes the importance of thorough investigations to uncover additional criminal activities beyond the initial charges.
Conclusion
McCloskey’s guilty plea on Apr. 4 concluded the investigation carried out by Casper police and ATF agents. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom, highlighting the collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and legal professionals in seeking justice for the victims.
