A 19-year-old Odessa man is facing felony charges after allegedly pulling a gun on someone who was trying to sell him one. Caleb James Houston Payne was arrested the same night a Lafayette County man reported that his firearm had been stolen at gunpoint during what was supposed to be a straightforward private sale.
According to KMZU, the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department responded Sunday evening to a report from a man that his gun had been stolen at gunpoint, according to a probable-cause statement cited by the outlet. The victim had arranged to meet Payne to sell him a Glock 23 handgun along with ammunition, the station reported.
As the victim was preparing to hand over the gun in exchange for payment, Payne allegedly pointed a different Glock at him, then took off with the Glock 23 and the ammunition without paying, per the same account. The alleged swap-turned-robbery was followed by Payne's arrest later that evening.
Suspect Found and Stolen Gun Recovered Same Night
Payne was located and arrested later that evening, the station's report states. A search of his residence turned up the stolen firearm and ammunition, according to the probable-cause statement referenced in the KMZU report.
Payne now faces one count each of felony first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and stealing, the outlet reported. As of the report, no court dates had been scheduled in the case.
What Comes Next in the Case
Missouri's armed criminal action statute, Section 571.015 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, governs armed criminal action charges tied to the alleged use of a deadly weapon during a felony. Case records, including any future docket entries or hearing dates for Payne, would be searchable through the state's public portal, Missouri Case.net, though that system notes its records are provided as a public service and are not considered an official court record.
The case remains in its early stages, with no scheduled hearings yet reflected in available records. Hoodline will continue to follow developments as the case moves through Lafayette County's court system.
