Deputies Contact Wanted Person, Finding Him Unlawfully in Possession of Firearm
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies, responding to a suspicious circumstance call, contacted three subjects. One was determined to have a valid warrant for his arrest. During the contact, a Deputy noticed a pistol sitting by one of the vehicle’s parking brake/console area. Through the investigation, they determined the handgun belonged to the male already under arrest for the warrant and that he was unlawfully in possession of the firearm due to a domestic violence court order. He was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree and the warrant for misdemeanor Malicious Mischief.
On March 28, 2023, at approximately 6:30 pm, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 11700 block of N. Wilson Street in Spokane County for a suspicious circumstance call. The caller reported several individuals were parked on the road and were entering an abandoned green trailer.
Deputy T. Moser and Deputy B. Miller arrived and found the vehicles and three subjects that matched the description provided by the caller.
One of the people contacted was identified as 25-year-old Benjamin O. Christenson, and a check of his name showed an active misdemeanor warrant for his arrest. Christenson was arrested for the warrant and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.
As this occurred, Deputy Miller observed a firearm sitting by the parking brake between the driver’s and passenger’s seats.
Christenson was advised of his rights and agreed to answer questions. He said the vehicle belonged to a family member, and he had permission to drive it. He gave the Deputies permission to search the car and admitted a pistol was inside. The handgun belonged to him, and he purchased it from a guy named “Roger” a few months earlier. He added the pistol did not work, and he had it with him for protection, hoping it would deter people from bothering him. Christenson knew he could not legally possess a firearm due to a domestic violence incident, and he had tried to purchase one lawfully but was denied.
The handgun was seized and checked. It was unloaded but appeared to operate normally and appeared capable of being loaded if a magazine and ammunition were used. A check of the firearm’s serial number showed it had not been reported stolen.
Christenson was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for the misdemeanor Malicious Mischief warrant and a new charge for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree.