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In Frisco, man arrested on charges of trespass and possession of firearm

Daily News staff report

Matthew Guy Ward, age 42, was taken into custody last night on charges of third degree trespass and felon in possession of a firearm.

At approximately 4 p.m. on May 9, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a trespass and a shot fired on the Giberson Ranch property, north of Frisco. The reporting party had been walking his dogs when he noticed a tarp shelter off to the side of the trail. A rifle was leaning up against a tree near the shelter, but the campsite did not appear to be occupied at the time.

When the reporting party returned the next day, he attempted to contact the individual in the shelter (later identified as Ward), but Ward would not come out. As the reporting party was leaving, he heard a gunshot from the direction of the camp, so he left the area and called 911.



Deputies contacted Ward, who admitted he had been camping in the area, but said he did not fire his rifle. A criminal history check revealed that Ward had several previous felony convictions, which would make it illegal for him to possess a firearm.

Ward’s bond has been set at $2,000. The third degree criminal trespass is a Class 1 petty offense, punishable by a penalty of up to $500 fine and/or up to 6 months in jail. The charge of possession of a weapon by previous offenders is a Class 6 felony, punishable by up to 18 months in jail and up to $100,000 fine.


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