WASHINGTON, D.C - Court documents reviewed by CBS News state that a man with a loaded gun in his car and a device in his underwear that would enable the firearm to act like a machine gun was arrested outside of the Pentagon after attempting to speed off with Pentagon police officers clinging to his vehicle.
Prosecutors have since alleged that the suspect, Kaleel Nagbe, had a loaded firearm with 16 rounds, including one in the chamber, when he was stopped for a traffic infraction at the Pentagon. He was stopped for holding a phone while driving. Prosecutors stated that the Pentagon officer who stopped him smelled marijuana and subsequently ordered him out of his car.
Nagbe complied, but then jumped back into his car and attempted to speed away. The court filings with the Department of Justice (DOJ) say that "multiple officers hung onto the vehicle," thwarting the armed suspect's escape. According to NBC24, Nagbe was driving a black Mercedes. Police noted that when he was pulled over, Nagbe became "nervous and fidgety" during questioning outside of the car.
The court documents do not allege that Nagbe was planning to use the firearm at the Pentagon, but that he did injure an officer in a physical confrontation during the arrest. It took three officers to detain Nagbe, as he was actively resisting arrest. While he was stopped, Nagbe also had in his underwear a Glock switch, which would enable his semi-automatic firearm to become functionally fully automatic.
The officer wrote in the arrest report, "Based on my training and experience, individuals affix to semi-automatic handguns to render them fully automatic." Nagbe allegedly told officers different stories about the handgun. He first told officers that he discovered the gun in the glove box and got it out to "avoid any issues." Later, he said he found it in the car's center console, and hid it to avoid getting his father in trouble.
Investigators later learned that the Mercedes with Maryland license plates belonged to Nagbe's father's company, KMN Real Estate. In a separate court filing, the DOJ said that Nagbe had in his trunk 14 pounds of suspected marijuana. The marijuana was contained in two white trash bags and one all black Nike backpack.
According to the DOJ, Nagbe has a lengthy criminal record including a prior firearms charge. A criminal history check on Nagbe showed that he was convicted of possession of a firearm in Montgomery County, Maryland, in April 2023. He was sentenced to a five-year term in prison, all by 367 days of which was suspended, and five years of probation while operating a motor vehicle against the state law in Virginia.
After his arrest outside of the pentagon, a magistrate judge ordered Nagbe to be released on a personal recognizance bond, which simply means it is his responsibility to show up for his court date while he remains out in the community.
However, prosecutors urged the magistrate to keep Nagbe in custody, which was granted. Prosecutors said, "The defendant presents a substantial risk of flight and a danger to the community. Indeed, each of the statutorily prescribed factors that guide a court's detention determination weigh against pretrial release. Accordingly, the defendant should be detained."
He is now in a detention center awaiting trial. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday, December 18th, in Alexandria, Virginia. The injured officer was treated a a nearby hospital for a hand injury and is recovering.
Prosecutors have since alleged that the suspect, Kaleel Nagbe, had a loaded firearm with 16 rounds, including one in the chamber, when he was stopped for a traffic infraction at the Pentagon. He was stopped for holding a phone while driving. Prosecutors stated that the Pentagon officer who stopped him smelled marijuana and subsequently ordered him out of his car.
Nagbe complied, but then jumped back into his car and attempted to speed away. The court filings with the Department of Justice (DOJ) say that "multiple officers hung onto the vehicle," thwarting the armed suspect's escape. According to NBC24, Nagbe was driving a black Mercedes. Police noted that when he was pulled over, Nagbe became "nervous and fidgety" during questioning outside of the car.
The court documents do not allege that Nagbe was planning to use the firearm at the Pentagon, but that he did injure an officer in a physical confrontation during the arrest. It took three officers to detain Nagbe, as he was actively resisting arrest. While he was stopped, Nagbe also had in his underwear a Glock switch, which would enable his semi-automatic firearm to become functionally fully automatic.
The officer wrote in the arrest report, "Based on my training and experience, individuals affix to semi-automatic handguns to render them fully automatic." Nagbe allegedly told officers different stories about the handgun. He first told officers that he discovered the gun in the glove box and got it out to "avoid any issues." Later, he said he found it in the car's center console, and hid it to avoid getting his father in trouble.
Investigators later learned that the Mercedes with Maryland license plates belonged to Nagbe's father's company, KMN Real Estate. In a separate court filing, the DOJ said that Nagbe had in his trunk 14 pounds of suspected marijuana. The marijuana was contained in two white trash bags and one all black Nike backpack.
According to the DOJ, Nagbe has a lengthy criminal record including a prior firearms charge. A criminal history check on Nagbe showed that he was convicted of possession of a firearm in Montgomery County, Maryland, in April 2023. He was sentenced to a five-year term in prison, all by 367 days of which was suspended, and five years of probation while operating a motor vehicle against the state law in Virginia.
After his arrest outside of the pentagon, a magistrate judge ordered Nagbe to be released on a personal recognizance bond, which simply means it is his responsibility to show up for his court date while he remains out in the community.
However, prosecutors urged the magistrate to keep Nagbe in custody, which was granted. Prosecutors said, "The defendant presents a substantial risk of flight and a danger to the community. Indeed, each of the statutorily prescribed factors that guide a court's detention determination weigh against pretrial release. Accordingly, the defendant should be detained."
He is now in a detention center awaiting trial. He is scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday, December 18th, in Alexandria, Virginia. The injured officer was treated a a nearby hospital for a hand injury and is recovering.
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