A suspect accused of using a police scanner to find officers to shoot is being held without bail as federal prosecutors crack down on gun crime in San Diego.
Corey Steven Middaugh, 30, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in federal court Thursday.
On Sept. 12, the San Diego based Fugitive Task Force received a special “Be on the Lookout” bulletin for Middaugh, warning that he was armed with a shotgun, and “wanted to shoot a law enforcement officer,” according to a federal complaint unsealed Thursday and obtained exclusively by NBC 7.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden told NBC 7 the suspect had been using a police scanner to find, and allegedly try to shoot, an officer.
Taskforce officers quickly found Middaugh’s pickup truck in a hotel parking lot on East Main Street in El Cajon.
Because Middaugh was considered armed and dangerous and has a prior felony conviction for manufacturing and possessing a dangerous weapon, officers decided not to storm the hotel room, but instead waited for the suspect’s next move.
They arrested him two hours later at a parking lot on North 2nd Street.
According to the complaint, officers found a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with four rounds in Middaugh’s pickup truck.
Middaugh was arrested and charged in state court. But when federal prosecutors learned about the allegations, they worked with the District Attorney’s office to transfer Middaugh’s case to the federal system.
Haden says gun charges can carry longer prison terms if a suspect is convicted in federal court.
“That kind of allegation is extraordinarily serious,” said Haden, “and when it’s directed at law enforcement, federal (prosecutors) in this case decided to get involved.”
Middaugh made his first appearance in federal court Thursday morning. Haden urged the magistrate judge to hold Middaugh in jail without bail, due to the seriousness of the alleged crime and Middaugh’s criminal history, which includes at least four felony convictions in the past seven years.
Magistrate Judge Ruben Brooks agreed.
Middaugh pleaded not guilty and will have another hearing next week, during which his attorney can argue for bail.