Former Law Enforcement Officer Awaits Possible BATF Assault
By J.J. Johnson - Posted: 09.06.00 http://www.sierratimes.com/arjj090600.htm
Sometime in the future, you may hear the name Antonio Calderon, former law-enforcement officer as the victim of the next state sponsored assault via
the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, along with the regular cadre of local police from the Las Vegas area wanting to make prime time television.
Here's why:
Antonio is a 9-year veteran of law enforcement, including time as an enforcement officer with the Internal Revenue Service's audit division. He resides in
Henderson Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. Since his layoff from the Clark County Family Youth Detention Facility, he has been making ends meet as a
bodyguard - a job that requires a Concealed Carry Permit (CCW).
Calderon has had his Nevada CCW since 1995. He is also a firm believer in the Second Amendment. But like the Emerson Case in Texas, a bad
marriage has come back to haunt Antonio Calderon.
He was divorced in 1993, and because of his layoff, he followed the steps of many who pay child support: he inquired of the court about payment
structuring, visitation, and telephone access to his 10-year old daughter Krista, now under the custody of his ex-wife in the Las Vegas area. Calderon
filed a motion in Clark County Family Court back in December of 1999 to have this position clarified.
August 1, 2000
Judge William Voy of Clark County Family Court rendered a decision that allowed very 'liberal' visitation rights. (up to 120 days per year) and unlimited
phone access until 9.pm. Child support was addressed as well. He has been paying child support, and has never been delinquent.
About a week later, according to records, Calderon was on the phone with his daughter to plan their summer vacation. He told Sierra Times it was during
that phone call things began to go south.
"My ex-wife's fiancé grabbed the phone from her and stated that I could not visit her." According to Calderon, Richard Ciolino, a ten-year veteran
employee with the Las Vegas Municipal Court System made the claim that Calderon was "considered to be a potentially dangerous threat."
According to records, these were the charges made by his ex-wife during past custody hearings. In the past, the courts have ruled in Calderon's favor.
But Calderon explained that Ciolino made mention over the phone that he had the ability to "pull strings" in high places.
How high? Keep reading.
August 11, 2000
Calderon ignored the threats of his ex-wife's fiancé and sought to visit his daughter within the requirements of the court's ruling. Upon denial of access to
his daughter (he used the "honk and seat belt rule"), Calderon called and got police assistance (two cruisers - Metro Dispatch #135-746, 135-766). But
Ciolino explained to the police that 10-year old Krista was
not at the residence.
To add insult, a police report was filed the next day against Calderon by Richard Ciolino, the ex-wife's fiancé even though Calderon, a man with no
criminal record whatsoever called the police himself.
August 17, 2000
Calderon was served with a protected order signed by a Judge by the Las Vegas Metro (police) that he had to appear in court on misdemeanor charges
of "harassment and making threats" Calderon denies any of the claims in the criminal complaint. The order was filed on August 15.
The order sated that "any further contact with Mr. Ciolino would be a gross misdemeanor with the potential of a $2000 fine or one year in jail. The
Temporary Restraining Order States:
"...that the defendant [Calderon] not initiate any contact whatsever with RICHARD CIOLINO, including, but not limited to any public place, by telephone,
or by correspondence..."
According to Calderon, "the only way for me to have access to my daughter is to call the phone number, or to approach the house using the honk and
seat-belt rule. This effectively
circumvented me having contact with my daughter."
On that same day, Calderon received a notice from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department that due to NRS 202.3657, his Concealed Firearms Permit
was suspended "effective immediately". Metro was even nice enough to send him a stamped, self-addressed envelope to return his CCW permit.
NRS, or Nevada Revised Statue 202.3657 Section (g) states, "The sheriff shall deny an application or revoke a permit if he determines that the applicant
or permit holder if the permit holder: Has been convicted of a crime involving domestic violence or stalking, or is currently subject to a restraining
order, injunction or other order for protection against domestic
violence. "
The notice, which has been received by Sierra Times, was also sent to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the great stalwart guardians of the
Second Amendment. Calderon said, "I called the BATF to see if they actually got the letter."
They got it, all right.
The BATF receptionist explained the situation, then inquired as to when Antonio Calderon would be at their office to "turn in his firearms." You see, upon
CCW revocation in these matters, Metro Police collects the permit, and the BATF collects the guns.
Convenient, isn't it?
Calderon dared to ask the question to the BATF, "What happens if I don't come in voluntarily?"
The receptionist for the BATF graciously explained the worst case scenario: If he were to ignore the "do-it-or-die letter" the Bureau would send next, the
BATF would have to endure the pain-staking task of obtaining a federal search warrant, followed by the "storming of the house" (their words) to find and
confiscate any weapon (and probably anything related to the Second Amendment) from his home. One can easily image what the ATF's version of
"storming a house" means. For this reason, the BATF asked that he simply set a date to turn in his weapons.
Did we mention that Antonio Calderon has not even been "charged with a crime" yet?
Antonio Calderon told Sierra Times directly:
"I have no intention of turning in my weapons to the BATF."
He told the BATF that he would contact his attorney, and get back to them on the matter.
August 30, 2000
In a downtown Las Vegas Courtroom, Antonio Calderon was present with his attorney, Jeanie Winkler to address the matter. According to records, the
Judge explained that things were piling up and asked could this matter be rescheduled.
Calderon answered his question with a question, "Your honor, couldn't we close this matter now since I have to pay this attorney to be here and I can't
make a living without my CCW permit?"
His Honor responded by threatening to cite Calderon with "contempt of court" and 25 days in jail. So, the matter has been rescheduled for Sept 6, 2000
One more thing, Calderon has first offered this story to a local television station, but they didn't think the story was worth covering. There are of course,
always two sides to every story.
Sierra Times will keep you posted on this continuing story. Stay Tuned.
By J.J. Johnson - Posted: 09.06.00 http://www.sierratimes.com/arjj090600.htm
Sometime in the future, you may hear the name Antonio Calderon, former law-enforcement officer as the victim of the next state sponsored assault via
the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, along with the regular cadre of local police from the Las Vegas area wanting to make prime time television.
Here's why:
Antonio is a 9-year veteran of law enforcement, including time as an enforcement officer with the Internal Revenue Service's audit division. He resides in
Henderson Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. Since his layoff from the Clark County Family Youth Detention Facility, he has been making ends meet as a
bodyguard - a job that requires a Concealed Carry Permit (CCW).
Calderon has had his Nevada CCW since 1995. He is also a firm believer in the Second Amendment. But like the Emerson Case in Texas, a bad
marriage has come back to haunt Antonio Calderon.
He was divorced in 1993, and because of his layoff, he followed the steps of many who pay child support: he inquired of the court about payment
structuring, visitation, and telephone access to his 10-year old daughter Krista, now under the custody of his ex-wife in the Las Vegas area. Calderon
filed a motion in Clark County Family Court back in December of 1999 to have this position clarified.
August 1, 2000
Judge William Voy of Clark County Family Court rendered a decision that allowed very 'liberal' visitation rights. (up to 120 days per year) and unlimited
phone access until 9.pm. Child support was addressed as well. He has been paying child support, and has never been delinquent.
About a week later, according to records, Calderon was on the phone with his daughter to plan their summer vacation. He told Sierra Times it was during
that phone call things began to go south.
"My ex-wife's fiancé grabbed the phone from her and stated that I could not visit her." According to Calderon, Richard Ciolino, a ten-year veteran
employee with the Las Vegas Municipal Court System made the claim that Calderon was "considered to be a potentially dangerous threat."
According to records, these were the charges made by his ex-wife during past custody hearings. In the past, the courts have ruled in Calderon's favor.
But Calderon explained that Ciolino made mention over the phone that he had the ability to "pull strings" in high places.
How high? Keep reading.
August 11, 2000
Calderon ignored the threats of his ex-wife's fiancé and sought to visit his daughter within the requirements of the court's ruling. Upon denial of access to
his daughter (he used the "honk and seat belt rule"), Calderon called and got police assistance (two cruisers - Metro Dispatch #135-746, 135-766). But
Ciolino explained to the police that 10-year old Krista was
not at the residence.
To add insult, a police report was filed the next day against Calderon by Richard Ciolino, the ex-wife's fiancé even though Calderon, a man with no
criminal record whatsoever called the police himself.
August 17, 2000
Calderon was served with a protected order signed by a Judge by the Las Vegas Metro (police) that he had to appear in court on misdemeanor charges
of "harassment and making threats" Calderon denies any of the claims in the criminal complaint. The order was filed on August 15.
The order sated that "any further contact with Mr. Ciolino would be a gross misdemeanor with the potential of a $2000 fine or one year in jail. The
Temporary Restraining Order States:
"...that the defendant [Calderon] not initiate any contact whatsever with RICHARD CIOLINO, including, but not limited to any public place, by telephone,
or by correspondence..."
According to Calderon, "the only way for me to have access to my daughter is to call the phone number, or to approach the house using the honk and
seat-belt rule. This effectively
circumvented me having contact with my daughter."
On that same day, Calderon received a notice from the Las Vegas Metro Police Department that due to NRS 202.3657, his Concealed Firearms Permit
was suspended "effective immediately". Metro was even nice enough to send him a stamped, self-addressed envelope to return his CCW permit.
NRS, or Nevada Revised Statue 202.3657 Section (g) states, "The sheriff shall deny an application or revoke a permit if he determines that the applicant
or permit holder if the permit holder: Has been convicted of a crime involving domestic violence or stalking, or is currently subject to a restraining
order, injunction or other order for protection against domestic
violence. "
The notice, which has been received by Sierra Times, was also sent to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the great stalwart guardians of the
Second Amendment. Calderon said, "I called the BATF to see if they actually got the letter."
They got it, all right.
The BATF receptionist explained the situation, then inquired as to when Antonio Calderon would be at their office to "turn in his firearms." You see, upon
CCW revocation in these matters, Metro Police collects the permit, and the BATF collects the guns.
Convenient, isn't it?
Calderon dared to ask the question to the BATF, "What happens if I don't come in voluntarily?"
The receptionist for the BATF graciously explained the worst case scenario: If he were to ignore the "do-it-or-die letter" the Bureau would send next, the
BATF would have to endure the pain-staking task of obtaining a federal search warrant, followed by the "storming of the house" (their words) to find and
confiscate any weapon (and probably anything related to the Second Amendment) from his home. One can easily image what the ATF's version of
"storming a house" means. For this reason, the BATF asked that he simply set a date to turn in his weapons.
Did we mention that Antonio Calderon has not even been "charged with a crime" yet?
Antonio Calderon told Sierra Times directly:
"I have no intention of turning in my weapons to the BATF."
He told the BATF that he would contact his attorney, and get back to them on the matter.
August 30, 2000
In a downtown Las Vegas Courtroom, Antonio Calderon was present with his attorney, Jeanie Winkler to address the matter. According to records, the
Judge explained that things were piling up and asked could this matter be rescheduled.
Calderon answered his question with a question, "Your honor, couldn't we close this matter now since I have to pay this attorney to be here and I can't
make a living without my CCW permit?"
His Honor responded by threatening to cite Calderon with "contempt of court" and 25 days in jail. So, the matter has been rescheduled for Sept 6, 2000
One more thing, Calderon has first offered this story to a local television station, but they didn't think the story was worth covering. There are of course,
always two sides to every story.
Sierra Times will keep you posted on this continuing story. Stay Tuned.
