Las Vegas teens armed with explosives each received a slap on the wrist for offenses

Steven Matthew Fernandes on the left and Jake Howell on the right. (Photo: Police mug shots)

Two Las Vegas teens armed with explosives each received a slap on the wrist

LAS VEGAS — It frightening to discover that the two Las Vegas teens armed with explosives each received a  slap on the wrist for their offenses.

Frightening and troubling.

Jake Howell was 18-years-old when he was arrested at the end of 2012.

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Police had received tips from students and parents alike about Howell.

He showed up at the Northwest Career and Technical Academy in Las Vegas, where he was once a student, armed with an assault rifle.

In addition to the assault rifle, Howell also had ammunition for the rifle, a sword and three knives.

At a school!

Howell is reportedly best friends with Steven Matthew Fernandes, another former student at Northwest Career and Technical Academy who was being held in federal custody for weapons chargers.

Fernandes admitted that he stored explosives at his home and also admitted that he made destructive devices, and he said that he transported explosive materials not only in Nevada, but also in Utah and Arizona.

He even admitted to setting off explosive devices in the Arizona desert.

When his home was raided in Sept.2012, authorities found a loaded shotgun in his home with large amounts of ammunition in both the home and his car.

He claimed to be the leader of the 327th Nevada Militia group, a group that he started with Howell, and said that he would beat the record for killings that had occurred during the massacre in Aurora, Colo.

He reportedly even said that he wanted to use children at a nursery school for target practice.

With all of the evidence against them, the two Las Vegas teens armed with explosives received a slap on the wrist for their offenses.

A deal was cut with each of them.

Howell, had to agree to forfeit his his SKS Russian assault rifle, a bayonet and two knives and was allowed to plead guilty to one gross misdemeanor charge of possession of a dangerous weapon on school property.

That deal netted Howell a 12-month suspended sentence and probation.

He also has to stay away from the Northwest Career and Technical Academy.

At the time of Howell’s sentencing, there was speculation that perhaps he provided information about Fernandes and that was why he only received what amounted to slap on the wrist.

Based on Fernandes’ sentence, that does not appear to be true.

Fernandes was allowed to plead guilty to a federal firearms charge and was sentenced Wednesday to spend 18 months in federal prison.

He also had to promise not to possess any weapons or explosives and is prohibited from using drugs or alcohol

Since he has been in custody since September, he will likely be back on the streets by Mar. 2014.

The two Las Vegas teens armed with explosives each received a slap on the wrist for their offenses leaving the community at risk.

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