Springfield police seize 27 guns from mentally ill man, documents say
Springfield police were concerned about possible terrorist activity when they entered a south Springfield duplex earlier this month.
Officers say they saw several guns, grenades, a Claymore mine and a rocket launcher inside the home.
There was a handwritten letter in the living room threatening Congressional officials.
After a more thorough search, however, police say they determined the grenades, mine and rocket launcher were inert, meaning the explosive portions of the weapons had been removed or never installed, and the man who had amassed the stockpile of weapons was suffering from a mental illness.
Recently unsealed court documents say police were called to a duplex at 1540 E. Camino Alto St. in south Springfield at about 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 10.
The caller reported loud banging noises coming from his neighbor's side of the duplex, as if someone was trying to break through the wall, according to the documents.
When police arrived, the documents say, they ordered the caller's neighbor — Rhett Waggoner — out of the residence.
Police later obtained a search warrant and entered Waggoner's side of the duplex, where they allegedly found the weapons.
A search warrant return lists the items police say they seized from Waggoner's home: marijuana, a knife, medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, computers, body armor with "Police" written on the back, camouflage clothing, two cell phones, 13 rifles, five shotguns, nine handguns, five grenades, ammunition, a Claymore mine and a rocket launcher with a "rocket."
Documents say one of the shotguns had a shortened barrel, making it illegal.
When officers entered the home, they noticed numerous holes in the walls that looked like they had been made with a broom handle, according to the documents.
Police say they also found a piece of paper in Waggoner's home with House of Representatives heading printed on it. There were several notes that had been handwritten on the paper, including "You got lots of blood on your hands," and "I'm coming to get you!!!"
Waggoner allegedly told police he was being targeted because he figured out who was responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Police then called Waggoner's father who told them Waggoner is bipolar and had not been taking his medication, according to the documents.
The documents say Waggoner's landlord also told police Waggoner had become increasingly paranoid and erratic.
In applying for the search warrant, police said they were looking for evidence related to "planned attacks."
Waggoner, 46, has been charged with possession of an illegal shotgun and property damage. He was arrested, then released on $50,000 bond. He does not have an attorney listed for this case.
Possession of an illegal weapon is a Class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.
A bond recommendation document says Waggoner was also arrested in July after he allegedly tried to crash his vehicle into someone else's car on Highway 60.
During that arrest, the recommendation says, Waggoner had a gun and a police badge in the car. He made statements about corresponding with George Bush and Richard Nixon.