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WORTHINGTON — A Worthington resident is charged with four felony counts of ineligible possession of a firearm, having been previously convicted of a crime of violence, in Nobles County Fifth District Court.
According to the criminal complaint, charges resulted from a traffic stop in Worthington. A Worthington Police Officer recognized driver Jonathan Keovilay, 21, from previous traffic stops.
The officer proceeded to follow the vehicle as it reportedly traveled at speeds greater than the posted speed limit. The officer observed the license tabs were expired and initiated a traffic stop.
Keovilay and a passenger proceeded to speak with the officer. Keovilay stated they were on their way to a meeting at the probation office. Upon running Keovilay’s information, the officer discovered his license was expired. The local probation department was also contacted and it was reported that Keovilay did not have an appointment scheduled.
Due to prior knowledge of Keovilay’s history and his behavior during the traffic stop, the officer believed there was criminal activity with possible possession of illegal items in the vehicle. Keovilay denied there were illegal items in the vehicle. He did not consent to a search of the vehicle.
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A second law enforcement officer was called to the scene to assist with a K-9 exterior sniff of the vehicle. Keovilay and the second occupant were told they were free to leave. After the K-9 reportedly indicated the presence of narcotics, a search was conducted of the vehicle. The occupants reportedly left the scene prior to the search taking place.
During the search of the vehicle, officers allegedly located an AR-style rifle in the trunk along with a magazine. The rifle had a pistol grip, a foregrip attachment, and an optic sight attached to it. Both the gun and magazine were empty. A pink ski mask, a black ski mask, two packages of “wound sealer”, and a camera were also located, according to the criminal complaint.
Keovilay was arrested for possession of the firearm, which he is ineligible to have due to multiple prior offenses.
Following the arrest, another Worthington Police Department member was granted a search warrant for Keovilay’s residence for additional firearms.
During the search, officers reportedly found a 9mm pistol located under a baby’s crib and bullet-resistant body armor in the closet, according to the report. As a result, Keovilay is also charged with a felony count of possessing a bullet-resistant vest while committing a crime, carrying a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, a $10,000 fine, or both.
A second vehicle was found on the property, reportedly containing a .45 caliber pistol and several boxes totaling approximately 15,000 rounds of .45 caliber and 9mm ammunition. Officers also reportedly located several AR magazines which appeared to match the AR-style rifle found in the trunk of the vehicle Keovilay was driving.
Officers also reportedly found approximately five pounds of marijuana packaged in large sealed bags, resulting in a fifth-degree felony drug charge against Keovilay.
Keovilay’s bail was set at $250,000 with conditions. He was scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Thursday.
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If convicted, Keovilay faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment, a $30,000 fine, or both — but no less than 60 months imprisonment — for each of the four firearm and ammunition possession charges. The maximum sentence for fifth-degree drug sale is up to five years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine, but not less than three years imprisonment.
