Contributed Article
PHOENIX – On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Ryan Smith Hagel, 30, a resident of San Luis Obispo, Calif., was indicted on a charge of being a Fugitive from Justice in Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition.
The indictment stems from a traffic stop made by the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office. Hagel was a passenger in the vehicle when it was stopped on I-10 near Ehernberg, Arizona.
Among the items recovered from the vehicle were seven firearms, including two high powered rifles and five handguns, 2,889 rounds of ammunition, 60 rifle and handgun magazines, all loaded with ammunition, and three sets of body armor.
Both Hagel and the driver are facing state charges of misconduct involving weapons. The charges are for failing to report possession of firearms when questioned by deputies.
During the traffic stop, a handgun was recovered from Hagel’s front waistband. A records check showed Hagel had a valid felony warrant out of Maricopa County for failure to appear. As a result, Hagel was arrested in San Luis Obispo, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and is currently in custody, facing a charge of Fugitive from Justice in Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition.
At this time, the FBI does not have information to believe there is an imminent threat. However, in an abundance of caution, we are reaching out to the public. If anyone has information regarding these allegations against Ryan Hagel, please contact the FBI Phoenix Field Office at 623-466-1999.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, the San Luis Obispo Police Department, and the FBI. The prosecution is being handled by Lisa Jennis, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona.
