Denver Man who tried to appraise stolen gun on TV to appear in court

Wylie Gene Newton

By BROOKE WAY
For FOX31 Denver

DENVER – A Colorado man accused of stealing an antique gun in New Mexico is expected to appear in court Monday.

Denver Man who tried to appraise stolen gun on TV to appear in court

Police arrested Wylie Gene Newton, 65, in May after he tried to have a stolen 1849 .44-caliber Colt Dragoon appraised on the Discovery Channel’s “American Guns.” The show  is filmed at a gun shop in Wheat Ridge.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Jeff Hengesbaugh, who  is a curator at a private gun museum outside of Santa Fe, N.M., happened to be channel surfing when he saw the show — and his stolen gun. The black powder revolver is valued at $40,000, according to Hengesbaugh.

He contacted police after watching the show back in February, at which point New Mexico police confirmed it was the stolen antique in the video and followed up with Wheat Ridge police.

Colorado law enforcement set up a sting operation in Erie, where they met Newton and offered to buy the stolen gun. He was arrested on May 10, and extradited to New Mexico to face a larceny charge on Aug. 5, according to court records.

Court records show that Newton visited the invitation-only museum twice in March 2011, and after his second visit Hengesbaugh noticed the Colt was missing. He called Newton to question the revolver’s whereabouts, and Newton denied taking the gun.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Museum owner Jim Gordon said he called Newton about a month ago. During the call, Newton asked Gordon if he thought he was “stupid enough” to appear on national television trying to appraise a stolen firearm.

“’I absolutely do,’” Gordon said he told Newton in response. “‘I think you’re totally, completely that stupid.’”

Newton had his arraignment in State District Court on Friday, and he is scheduled to have a bond hearing on Monday.