A man who accidentally shot himself earlier this year was sentenced to five years of supervised probation under a plea bargain with Mojave County prosecutors. And just in case, the agreement called for the confiscation of 18 firearms found at his home prior to his arrest.
Adam R. Lang, 32, was hospitalized in January after he reportedly shot himself at his home on Chemewevi Boulevard. A subsequent investigation by Lake Havasu City Police Department detectives eventually arrested Lang on charges including possession of drugs for sale, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a weapon in a drug offense, possession of a prohibited weapon, and theft. , finally finished. On June 8, Lang was sentenced to supervised probation and five days in prison, with another five days suspended.
Lang’s plea bargain reduced the charges of possession of drugs for sale to attempted possession of drugs for sale. All other charges against him were dismissed by the prosecution.
The incident began on January 14, when a Lake Havasu City Police Department officer was summoned to the Havasu Regional Medical Center regarding a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police said Lang initially told investigators that he had attempted to purchase firearms from an unknown vendor in front of his home. Lang allegedly told police that he accidentally pulled the trigger and the gun was fired. Police said Lang told investigators that an unidentified vendor fled the scene with a weapon.
Officers searched the scene of the shooting but reported no signs of blood, bullet fragments, shell casings or bullet damage. Witnesses at the home reportedly told police that Lang’s story was false. There was no second party to Lang’s accidental shooting, and the shooting itself may have happened in Lang’s garage rather than in front of his home.
Police raided Lang’s home that day. Investigators said police found an unregistered MAC 10 automatic gun lying on the floor of the garage, along with drops of blood. A 9mm cartridge was found on the floor approximately five feet from the weapon.
Officers obtained a warrant to search Lang’s home. In executing the warrant, police allegedly found 27.5 grams of cocaine in various containers, multiple drug paraphernalia and 18 firearms, one of which was confirmed stolen. Officers also allegedly found several gang-related items and materials supporting the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang.
Officers searched Lang’s home, and the suspect was eventually taken to Las Vegas for further treatment. Lang turned himself in to the Lake Havasu Police Department on February 13, but declined to answer detective questions about the case on the advice of his lawyer.
This week’s conviction marks Lang’s first felony conviction in Arizona, according to the pre-sentence investigation report in the case. Lang has so far been convicted of five misdemeanor crimes, and those convictions ended his last three terms of probation.
In the report, Mojave County Deputy Probation Officer Mariam Hart said Lang’s previous probation period may have done little to prevent future crimes. But reportedly with steady employment, a residence in Havasu, and support from his family, Lang remained on moderate probation.
As a condition of Mr. Lang’s probation, he must not possess weapons or stay in residences where weapons may be present. Possession and use of illegal drugs and alcohol will also be banned for the next five years.
