Task force, SWAT bust Fallon fugitive

One of Nevada’s Top 10 most wanted criminals was apprehended on Tuesday night in an intense raid by the North Central Narcotics Task Force, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and the Fallon Police Department.

Charles Deselms, 47, was taken into custody after an hour-long standoff at 455 Mary Street. Authorities also arrested Sheena Marshall, 29, and Daniel Jeppsen, 38. All three are schuled to appear for their arraignments today in Justice Court.

According to Task Force Sgt. Dan Johnson, Deselms was wanted on numerous felony drug charges and was considered armed and dangerous. FPD Chief Kevin Gehman requested the SWAT team to assist in the apprehension of the suspected drug trafficker.

Deselms was listed on the State of Nevada’s Department of Public Safety investigation’s 10 most wanted.

Johnson, though, said 9 grams of methamphetamine were confiscated plus an additional 18.1 grams were secured through controlled buys during a previous four-month investigation.

Johnson said authorities surrounded the home and the SWAT team used several breaching charges, which destroyed the garage door. One-by-one, authorities called out the suspects to exit the home.

“Because of his past, and how he ran from us before and we had been hearing he had access to weapons, we decided to call the SWAT team to hit the house,” Johnson said. “This we considered high-risk because of his past, his criminal history.

“They (SWAT) were fantastic. The PD and (Churchill County) Sheriff’s Office provided support (as well).”

Deselms, though, attempted to flee through a side window, Johnson said, but members of the SWAT team had locked down the side and backyard. Eventually, Deselms surrendered to authorities after nearly two months on the run.

A search warrant was obtained for Deselms residence on May 10, but the task force missed Deselms by 30 minutes.

“Of course the gig is up and he knows we are looking for him,” Johnson said. “At that point we were looking for him (again).”

On June 12, the unit located Deselms in Churchill County on Zephyr Road, but he escaped and caused one member of the unit to total his vehicle. The agent also suffered numerous cuts and bruises including a gash above the eye.

Johnson said Jeff Rechel aided Deselms escape by blocking authorities from arresting the fugitive. Rechel was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by an ex-felon and accessory to assault with a deadly weapon.

“We got into a pursuit with Deselms, and during the pursuit one of my guys crashed and totaled his car.”

The charges spooked the quiet neighborhood according to Truckee Meadows Fireman Miguel Orduna. He noticed dozens of officers as he was letting his dog out before going to bed.

“As soon as I made it to the bumper of my girlfriends car, I saw all the SWAT guys,” Orduna said. “From behind me, what startled me quite a bit, was another SWAT guy who grabbed me from the back and told me to get inside the house and to one of the back bedrooms.”

The charges, meanwhile, frightened his girlfriend and 4-year-old daughter.

“As soon as she opened the front door, they blew something,” Orduna said. “She was worried … our 4-year-old woke up and was screaming frantically. It was quite intense.”

Orduna has lived in his home for about one year, and he said people were constantly coming and going from his neighbor’s residence.

“We lost track of who lives there and how many live there,” he added. “They never bothered us … but it seemed weird. Somebody was always there, that’s for sure.”

Deselms was booked into the Churchill County Jail on charges of an ex-felon not to possess a firearm, open site for sale of a controlled substance, sale of narcotics, trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and eluding arrest. His bond is $225,640.

Marshall, meanwhile, was booked on three charges including trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a dangerous drug. Her bond is $58,140.

Jeppsen is charged with accessory to assault with a deadly weapon and possession of firearm by an ex-felon. He is being held on $55,000 bond.