A man was detained at the Crossroads of the West gun show at the Mesa Convention Center last weekend after attempting to purchase two firearms with a fake ID, officials said.
Authorities say a vendor flagged down officers when the buyer — whose real name is Nathaniel Mead — presented a fake ID with a different name while attempting to buy the two guns. When police ran the license number, it revealed a third name.
Detective Richard Encinas says this was not the man's first attempt at forgery and federal authorities were already looking for him.
“It turned up that the ATF, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms was also looking for this person. He is apparently an investigative lead in a couple of cases they have going on as well," said Encinas.
Mead was taken into custody, and three additional fake IDs were found in his wallet, officials said.