Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Las Vegas assemblyman arrested on suspicion of DUI, possessing gun

Updated Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 | 11 a.m.

This undated booking photo provided by the Carson City Sheriff shows Nevada Assemblyman Richard Carrillo. Carrillo was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possessing a firearm while intoxicated, officials said Friday, Feb. 27, 2015.

This undated booking photo provided by the Carson City Sheriff shows Nevada Assemblyman Richard Carrillo. Carrillo was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possessing a firearm while intoxicated, officials said Friday, Feb. 27, 2015.

CARSON CITY — Nevada Assemblyman Richard Carrillo was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after being found asleep in his car with a loaded gun in Carson City, authorities said.

Carson City sheriff's officials said the Democratic lawmaker from Las Vegas was arrested around 3 a.m. Friday after reportedly leaving a bar and falling asleep in his parked vehicle about a block from the Capitol.

Sheriff Ken Furlong says Carrillo posted $6,000 bail at the Carson City jail on Friday morning. Carrillo did not immediately return a phone message or email seeking comment.

The arresting officer wrote that he found Carrillo asleep in the unreclined driver's seat with his hand on the gear shift and his foot apparently on the pedal, with the heater running.

While the vehicle wasn't moving, Furlong said, he faces a DUI because he was in control of the vehicle and could have driven away.

The arresting officer reported the strong odor of alcohol on Carrillo's breath, and wrote that Carrillo, who has a concealed weapons permit, had a loaded .22-caliber pistol in his front pocket. Carrillo reportedly told the officer that he'd had a few drinks, but declined to take a breath test on the scene.

He took a blood test at the jail, according to the report. The results were still pending.

A first-time DUI conviction likely means a fine and a suspended license, Furlong said. It could also lead to the revocation of a concealed weapons permit.

Democratic Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said the issue was a "personal matter" and didn't say whether she would ask him to resign.

The Legislature can discipline its members, according to Legislative Counsel Bureau Chief Rick Combs, but it was too early to tell whether that would happen.

Carrillo is a member of the Assembly Government Affairs Committee, but was absent from the panel's Friday morning meeting. He was first elected in 2010.

In his legislative biography, Carrillo notes he is affiliated with the National Rifle Association. He was a featured speaker at "You Drink, You Drive, You Lose," an anti-DUI event held in Las Vegas in 2011, according to his campaign website.

Furlong said arrests involving lawmakers are rare.

"Our legislators are normally very well-behaved," he said.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy