U.S. man accused of arms dealing, attempted murder in Venezuela

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

U.S. man accused of arms dealing, attempted murder in Venezuela
Source: Reuters - Wed, 23 Apr 2014 06:52 PM

CARACAS, April 23 (Reuters) - A Venezuelan court ordered a U.S. citizen to remain behind bars on Wednesday for alleged arms trafficking and attempted murder after police arrested the man during a raid on a home in the west of the country.

A Supreme Court statement named the man as Todd Michael Leininger. It said he was detained in Tachira state in possession of multiple firearms after shooting and wounding another man there.

A U.S. Embassy official in Caracas said consular officials were seeking to make contact with Leininger, adding that he could not provide further details because of privacy rules.

The court's brief statement did not specify a date for Leininger's appearance.

A local newspaper said Leininger was aged 32 and had been in the country for two months. It said he was staying in Tachira with his Venezuelan wife and that the incident took place on Saturday after an argument between him and a neighbor over loud music.

Read more: http://www.trust.org/item/20140423182652-td10g/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Arrested U.S. for arms trafficking

(This is a google-translation of a Puerto Rican newspaper article)

Arrested U.S. for arms trafficking
Posted: Today 15:54 h.


~snip~
The governor of Tachira, José Vielma Mora said in a statement that the U.S. "had two months in San Cristóbal (Táchira capital) and entered the country with legal documents."

He added that he was seized at his residence, "three rifles of different brands (and) gauges ... one with sound suppressor and telescopic sight", plus two .22 and .40 caliber pistols, ammunition and eight camouflage uniforms.

According to neighbors versions Quinimarí Private San Cristobal, cited by the Journal of the Andes of Tachira, Santos Sandoval "listening to loud music, which seems to have upset the U.S.."

"Between 'Todd' and the neighbor a heated discussion among which the first named brings out a gun which shoots him in the chest, seriously wounding occurs," the newspaper said. "It is known that natural state of Florida and is impeached in Indiana."

http://www.metro.pr/ap-noticias/arrestan-a-estadounidense-por-trafico-de-armas/BtIndw!3V9mhKly@wxAwpSp6r8LTw/

[Judi Lynn]

2. A.P.: American Arrested in Venezuela on Murder Charges

American Arrested in Venezuela on Murder Charges
CARACAS, Venezuela April 23, 2014 (AP)
Associated Press

A U.S. citizen has been arrested in Venezuela on attempted murder and weapons charges after he allegedly shot another man, authorities said Wednesday.

Venezuela's Supreme Court said Todd Michael Leininger was arrested after a raid on his house in the Western border state of Tachira. The statement said he shot and wounded a man identified as Jorge Santos Sandoval.

A number of firearms were found at the house but authorities provided no other details except to say that two women were also arrested as part of the investigation.

Tachira Gov. Jose Vielma Mora said Leininger is 32 and has been in Venezuela for two months. The governor said two handguns and three rifles, including one with a silencer and telescopic sight, were found at Leininger's house.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/american-arrested-venezuela-murder-charges-23443768

[Judi Lynn]

3. Miami Herald: Venezuela says it has detained Florida man on weapons charges

Posted on Wednesday, 04.23.14
Venezuela says it has detained Florida man on weapons charges

By Jim Wyss
[e-mail]

BOGOTA, Colombia -- Venezuelan authorities Tuesday said they detained a 32-year-old Florida man in the troubled border state of Táchira for allegedly possessing weapons without a permit.

In a press release, Táchira Gov. Vielma Mora said authorities recovered three rifles — including one with a silencer and telescopic site — two handguns, ammunition and eight “camouflage” uniforms. One of the weapons is connected to the shooting of a local man, Mora said.

~snip~

Mora said a Venezuelan woman, identified as Vivían Arreaza Sandoval, had also been arrested in the case. On Wednesday, the government identified the suspect as Todd Michael Leininger.

~snip~

San Cristóbal has been at the epicenter of anti-government protests that have left at least 41 dead since February. The Venezuelan government has often accused the United States and other foreign governments of fueling the unrest in hopes of toppling the socialist administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

Mora said he “presumed” that the detained American was involved in the protests.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/22/4074508/venezuela-says-it-has-detained.html#storylink=cpy