A pair of Licking men each face two felony weapons charges after a Texas County Sheriff’s Department investigation on Saturday, June 15.
Brandon L. Tharp, 19, of 16155 Lewis Lane in Licking and Brett C. Lewis, 18, of 11871 S. U.S. 63 in Licking are each charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and stealing a firearm (both class D felonies).
A deputy reported that while items were being collected that had been purchased by Tharp using a stolen debit card, information surfaced regarding two stolen guns related to the case. The deputy’s investigation revealed that the fraudulently purchased goods were inside the trunk of a car at a man’s Crow Road residence at Licking.
While the goods were being recovered, Tharp reportedly told the officer one of the 9-millimeter pistols that had been swiped from the man was also in the car. It was found, but Tharp reportedly said that to his knowledge, Lewis had the other.
A woman at the scene reportedly provided the information about the guns, but was unaware they had been stolen.
The deputy reported that Tharp said he and Lewis had teamed up on two second-degree burglary crimes and were on probation.
Tharp is held in the Texas County Jail on $150,000 bond. Lewis has yet to be apprehended.