UPDATE: Phil Dominguez legal case and a note from his wife, Sue
March 4, 2009 in Featured
Phil Dominguez, a former Avalanche / Ground Zero player & the NPPL ultimate judge, was arrested in January on trumped up weapons charges. As we reported earlier [ Fox News "OMG WE CAUGHT OSAMA" coverage & Phil's Response ], Phil and long time friend Fridge McKay were on the way to pick up another teammate, Chris Cole at the airport and on their way to the range. The trio had planned to target shoot on one day, and play the Old School Challenge (Local pump tournament) the following day. Phil followed the letter of the law, meaning everything was reported to authorities, locked up and stored properly, and the ATF & FBI officials waved him through the check point. The LAPD decided to get involved and things took a turn for the worse. The powers that be in the LAPD had decided they were going to make an example of Phil and detained him for over 10 hours as they looked for some sort of law he may have violated, and they found one. An obscure law on the books states that you must drive to and from the range without any stops in between. The Los Angeles Police Department has decided to make things interesting and are attempting to set a legal precedent with the Phil Dominguez case. We recently had a chance to catch up with Phil & Sue about the case, below is what they had to say.
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Hello!
It’s been crazy here at my house these past few months. Don’t think that I have been ignoring some of you but I have been dealing with my husband’s arrest of a few months ago. Some of you already know what has been happening these past few months and I thank you for your prayers. For those that don’t know, here is a brief rundown of what has been happening in my family’s lives. This was just released by my husband’s attorney………………………………..
On Friday, January 9, 2009, Fox 11 News reported the arrest of Mr. Phillip Dominguez at Los Angeles International Airport. According to the Daily Breeze, Mr. Dominguez was on his way to pick up a friend arriving at the airport and then go shooting at a range. The L.A. Times reported “authorities said that there was no indication the man intended to cause harm at the terminal.” In a follow-up report Fox 11 News then called Mr. Dominguez a “knucklehead” for being in possession of a number of firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition while driving into Los Angeles Airport.
What the media fails to understand is that there is nothing illegal, nor even particularly startling to firearm owners who understand what a trip to the range entails.
The arrest was only the beginning. On the following Tuesday morning, January 13, 2009, at approximately 6 a.m. Mr. Dominguez’s home was raided by the Los Angeles Police Department Gun Unit. While still in their pajamas, Mr. Dominguez, his wife and two daughters (ages 17 and 13), were led out of their home at gun point by LAPD. Mr. and Mrs. Dominguez were handcuffed for six hours while officers seized thousands of dollars in property, including all his (and his wife’s) firearms, magazines, and boxes of ammunition.
The law firm of Trutanich-Michel, LLP was retained by Phillip Dominguez concerning his criminal case.
Mr. Dominguez was arraigned on February 6, 2009. The complaint alleges 11 counts, eight felonies and three misdemeanors. Mr. Dominguez is charged with three violations of California Penal Code section 12280(a)(1) transportation of an assault weapon for: a Springfield Armory M1A SOCOM II, a Kel-Tec SU-16 Rifle, and a Spikes Tactical ST22. One count of violation of Penal Code section 12280(b) possession of a Mauser Semi Auto Rifle. One count possession of a short barrel rifle pursuant to Penal Code section 12020(a)(1). Three counts possession of a deadly weapon under Penal Code section 12020(a)(1). And three misdemeanor counts; possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle in Los Angeles, and possession of testosterone enanthate.
Trutanich-Michel has received numerous calls about the status of this case, the charges, and inquiries about what people can do to help. Contributions to Mr. Dominguez’s defense fund can be made by check sent to Trutanich Michel LLP at 180 E. Ocean Blvd. Suite 200 Long Beach, CA 90802. Please indicate in the subject line: “Dominguez Defense Fund.” Tax deductible contributions can be made to CalGuns Foundation. Make sure that the donation is marked for “Mr. Dominguez’s Defense Fund.”
Chuck Michel plans on fighting this case to the fullest, meeting with the prosecution, and resolving the case to a just conclusion.
Fortunately, my handcuffs were released after about 15 minutes. Just so you know, my husband was on the way to an outdoor firing range. Not only were all his guns double locked, but he also had ammunition and targets all boxed up. He also had safety equipment (including a shovel, which is required by the outdoor range for fire prevention) and cleaning equipment. To obtain the search warrant the LAPD said my husband had assault rifles, but said assault rifles are just ordinary rifles that were purchased as is at reputable gun stores. What amazes me is the amount of tax dollars that are being wasted on this case while pedophiles and gang bangers are flooding the streets of LA. Yet, LAPD came down to our quiet little home in the upper middle class section of the City of Orange to harass a hard-working family, not to mention that I work with special education high school students and my husband just organized a fundraising paintball event for the Riverside County Autistic Education Department. I thank God for his grace and blessings during this trying time. Please keep our family in your prayers.
Love,
Sue
support said on March 4, 2009
Phil you have our support, what you are going through absolutely sucks and I tend to agree with your wife that the money they are spending could be better used. California is broke, yet we are making an example of a law abiding citizen, great. Stay strong.
Johnny Perchak said on March 4, 2009
Phil is a good guy and a friend of mine. I feel terribly about this situation and wish him and his family all of the best!
Phil said on March 4, 2009
testosterone enanthate = steriods something tells me they raided your house because of the steriods not just for the weapons that he was busted with. Drugs and guns are a bad combination in any state.
Hazel said on June 29, 2009
Oh, they had a ‘dream’ that maybe there was Testosterone at his home, and decided to raid? NO, they were hoping, with all their might, that they could find something, anything, that might help them justify calling out the ATF, FBI, etc., so they could save face and not look like they made a mountain out nothing! Do the rest of us a favor, don’t comment on things you know nothing about, arm yourself with the facts before you speak!
Rich said on March 4, 2009
Don’t you think driving into LAX with a car full of guns is asking for trouble? Common sense on his part would have prevented any of this.
How many guys go to pickup a friend from the airport in a fuel truck, a fertilizer trailer or a fireworks delivery vehicle… That would be kinda stupid huh?
Shame you are in this position, but you put yourself there.
Hazel said on June 29, 2009
All the vehicles you mentioned are ‘work’ vehicles, he was in his private, personal, truck, with the firearms in locked cases, as the law requires, in the locked bed of his truck. Even the Officer who gave the media a statement that day said that “apparently Mr. Dominguez was at the airport to pick up a friend and meant no one any harm”. He was on his way to the shooting range, but had to pick up a friend that flew in to join him.
hummm said on March 4, 2009
Karmas a bitch
Hazel said on June 29, 2009
IDIOT!
Frank Connell said on March 4, 2009
Hey Phil I hope everything works out for you and your family.
DVDS said on March 4, 2009
Either way, nice VL300.
.... said on March 5, 2009
If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.
You’re watching your 2nd Amendment disappear…day by day, case by case, piece by piece.
XXL said on March 5, 2009
That’s actually a VL3000
SEBURO said on March 5, 2009
GREAT piece guys. I heard about the arrest for the possession of the firearms but I didn’t know it involved Phil Dominguez and I found out the truth here.
Thisiswhypeoplehatecops said on March 5, 2009
This is exactly why people do not particularly like you run of the mill, patrol type officers, becuase they take small things and try to build their reputation off of it.
Mark said on March 12, 2009
Fridge wtf were you thinking hanging with phil he is and always will be an idiot……….
Hazel Paci said on June 29, 2009
“Mark”, seems to me that you’re the Idiot! If you knew Phil at all, you’d know that he’s a straight shooter and an Honorable man. Does he intimidate you….or did he make a call against you and your team that you didn’t like? Read the rest of the comments posted-everybody else supports him, what’s your beef.
Dave said on April 20, 2009
Phil has always been a top shelf guy who more than goes the extra mile for friends and noob Pb’ers. Anyone who knows him knows this and anyone talking out of the backside doesnt know crap. If its perfectly legal to have/transport weapons then there should be no problems, to those that like to run ther mouth please shut the hell up and go lay down and take the destruction of your rights like a good sheep.
Good luck Phil and i’ll be getting touch to see what i can do to help out.
raymond s.medrano said on September 8, 2009
hello boss and sue..
it’s big ray i did pray for u both n hope all is still going well.
we need to stick together as 1 when it comes police misconduct n violations of our civil rights.
i for one am totally against what has transpired n know how depressing these issues can become.
i was falsely charge with murder and had to prove them wrong…it took me six months and an expensive attorney to prove them wrong while i sat in jail!!!
sue the badges off of them…
i stand with u.l
An American For true freedom said on November 24, 2009
“An obscure law on the books states that you must drive to and from the range without any stops in between. ”
This is not an obscure law. It is very much relevant if you have so-called “assault weapons” and choose to drive around with them. I don’t have any assault weapons registered in my name, and I god-damn well know that law!
I agree with an earlier poster. It’s really, really, REALLY dog-damn stupid of the LAPD to hassle a law-abiding citizen, getting him on a “technicality.”
But, yes, it is really, really, REALLY stupid to drive into LAX with a truck full of guns, and to plead “ignorance” of the “assault weapon” laws you know DAMN well they are going to try to use against you. IGNORANCE is no excuse. REPEAT: IGNORANCE is no excuse. GO BUY THE BOOK “How to own a gun and stay out of jail” by John Machtinger of C. D. Michel Associates law firm. It’s probably available at your local gun store. You know the LAPD is a bunch of yahoo cowboy head-beating publicity seekers. You gotta be smarter than THAT.
Lots of complete stupidity to go around on BOTH sides. A real shame. A real waste of time. But, for christ’s sake, MAN UP, and learn the laws and use some common sense. I have 6 guns but I don’t drive into the frigging airport with them while everyone is yelling about Hezbollah, Al Qeida, terrorism, etc. I use my common sense, and I took a LOT of time to LEARN THE LAW.
If you want the LAW to protect you, you need to learn it.
Sue, I feel sorry for you. I hope things go smoother and all quiets down soon.
An American For true freedom said on November 25, 2009
Oh, one more thing… putting a “too short” barrel onto your Thompson Contender is another example of “ya gotta be SMARTER than that.” Same with having prescription steriods without a prescription lying around in your home. Same with having some wicked cool looking brass knuckles — sure, they’re manly, but you (and I) already have lots of guns. Why do we need those? They’re illegal! Yea, probably a stupid law, but everyone knows it’s illegal.
Ya GOTTA be SMARTER than THAT. I’m speaking to all the good, law abiding people who have a little something here or there that they think won’t get them in trouble. It won’t, until it does. Then you’ll be thinking “WTF did I keep that ridiculous thing around for?? Now I’m HOSED.” You can say everything you want about the LAPD being a bunch of ignoramouses, jerks who won’t follow the law and would rather bully an innocent than tangle with a real badass. And, yes, you have your rights, but as they say, “You can beat the rap but you can’t beat the ride,” meaning you’ll need to spend lots of $$$ on lawyers, and you’ll be arrested and thrown in jail, eventually to be vindicated, but why not just SKIP THE HASSLE TO BEGIN WITH by THINKING WITH YOUR BRAIN instead of your “gonna-go-shoot-up-a-bunch-of-shit-in-the-desert, I’m-so-manly” Man-muscle.
Do I sound like I’m a little pissed at Phil? Well, yea, I guess you could say that. We gun owners don’t need more fodder for the anti-gun retards (like the LAPD and the LACO Sheriff), more innocent but unfortunately “dumb” people like Phil, who love their guns but look like they’re on their way to the Waco shootout. We need a low profile, while the NRA and CalGuns and CalRiflePistolASSN build up positive P.R. and lobbying momentum to get some of these stupid-ass California laws repealed!
Well, let me close by saying, in spite of all that, I feel for ya, Phil, and I do hope you can somehow SUE the LAPD for SOMETHING. I don’t know what and how, but it would be nice. And I am sorry your family got put through all of this. IT really does suck, no doubt about it, and you have my sympathy.
Now get your sh*t straight and go and sin no more
Jake from the 951 said on December 1, 2009
It was not the LAPD who arrested him it was the Los angeles international airport police LAXPD. They are a completley different and seperate police department who initiated the arrest.Just wanted to pass that on. Oh and i dont think Phil should have been arrested for this minor technicality. He sounds like a law abiding citizen just wanting to go target shooting.
Nead Digger said on March 29, 2011
Airport Mall Kawps. LOL!