Sam Amico
A member of the Los Angeles Police Department tried to buy an illegal silencer from China, but it turns out he got too loud about it. Veteran LAPD Luke Walden, 48, was arrested and charged with one count of illegally possessing a silencer. A felony in California that carries a prison sentence of up to three years, as relayed by Insider.
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Walden allegedly ordered an illegal firearm silencer from China, but the package containing the device was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents. Per LA District Attorney George Gascón, the package was addressed to Walden.
“Any device that is intended to silence or muffle a firearm is illegal,” Gascón said in a statement. “This case is especially troubling given that the accused is a senior law enforcement officer. Anyone who tries to circumvent our laws by trying to purchase such items overseas will be held accountable for their actions, no matter their profession.”
LAPD Officer Charged With Attempting to Buy Illegal Gun Silencer
Walden’s fellow detectives arrested him earlier this month.
“Reverence for the law is an unbending expectation of each member of this department,” LAPD Police Chief Michel Moore said. “The circumstances of this investigation trouble me greatly given the responsibilities of the involved detective.”
LAPD Commission President William J. Briggs III added that the LAPD “will not tolerate corruption at any level,” in the same statement.
“The Board of Police Commissioners will do everything to ensure that the department operates at the highest levels of integrity,” Briggs said. “The Commission will be directing the Office of the Inspector General to review the circumstances of this incident and cooperate with our state partners.”
The case remains under investigation and Walden is set to be arranged on Dec. 7.
