EXCLUSIVE

MICHAEL F. MCCLINTON

THE SIMPSON GANG'S
TRIGGER MAN?

THE MAN WITH THE GUNS

(October 22nd, 2007 5:15PM PST)

BY ERIC LONGABARDI

ERS News has learned that Michael F. McClinton, the man who, along with OJ Simpson, is charged with a multitude of crimes by the District Attorney for the armed robbery of memorabilia dealers Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong in Las Vegas last month, has previous problems with the law and with his possession of firearms.

The Enterprise Report has exclusively learned that McClinton was previously charged in a case in 1985 with possessing stolen property, which was a firearm. The case was dismissed according to court records. because of the lack of evidence.

McClinton's house was searched by Las Vega Police on September 16th this year in the early morning, after the incident at the Palace Station Hotel involving OJ Simpson. In the search, Las Vegas Police recovered 3 weapons, according to the police report; a Beretta .22 caliber handgun, a Ruger .45 caliber handgun and an unnamed "Assault Rifle." Las Vegas Police say they also found a Concealed Weapons Permit in McClinton's name.

What police haven't said is whether or not those weapons were registered to McClinton as required in Las Vegas. ERS News sought comment on that issue from LVPD, but they refused to comment on that aspect of the case in time for this story. In addition, under Nevada law in Las Vegas, it's against the law to transfer a weapon to anyone without the firearm being registered to the new owner. According to security sources at the Palace Station Hotel, the mere fact of carrying those weapons on the private property of the hotel was a violation of the Hotel's security policy, which in Nevada makes it illegal, even with a concealed weapon Permit such as McClinton's.

McClinton has also been in trouble related to his driving record. Two cases in July of 2005 had McClinton being wanted on arrest warrants for failing to appear for driving without a valid license and other related matters. McClinton ultimately was convicted and paid fines.

ERS News attempted to reach McClinton's attorney Bill Terry in Las Vegas to comment on our report, but our calls were not returned.

Another key suspect in the Simpson case Walter Alexander,has previously told Las Vegas police that OJ Simpson wanted others involved in the incident to carry guns, and that the gun he carried into the hotel room was given to him by McClinton.

Alexander, has already cut a deal to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for his testimony against Simpson and others. He is expected to plead guilty tomorrow (10/23) in Las Vegas according to the Los Angeles office of attorney Robert Rentzer.

Michael McClinton also has an upcoming hearing based on a motion this Wednesday (10/24) according to court records reviewed by ERS News. OJ Simpson and his lawyer Gabriel Grasso also have a motion set to be heard at the same hearing. Both OJ Simpson and McClinton's preliminary hearings are set for November 8th in Las Vegas.