18-Year Old Facing Felony Charge For Stolen AR-15 Rifle Found In His Vehicle On Tate High Campus, ECSO Says

March 8, 2022

An 18-year old is facing a felony charge in connection with a rifle allegedly found in his truck on the Tate High School campus last month.

Caden Edward Sterling was charged with grand theft of a firearm. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $2,500.

On February 15, Sterling was found to be in possession of a stolen 300 caliber AR-15 rifle along with four magazines and 34 rounds of ammunition, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. Sterling told deputies that he obtained the gun from “an unknown male for an unknown reason” and could offer no further information or documentation, an arrest report states.

The gun had been reported stolen by an Escambia County man that told deputies it had been taken from his son’s locked bedroom. The man stated that, against his will, his daughter had been seeing a boy, according to the report.

The report states the father took his daughter’s cell phone and identified Sterling as the boy.

The sister of the 15-year old told deputies her sister told her that Sterling has admitted stealing the gun from the house and taking it to school, according to the report.

Sterling’s mugshot was unavailable from the Escambia County Jail, which cited a Florida statute that exempts the release of photographs of  current or former law enforcement personnel, their spouses and their children.

Comments

14 Responses to “18-Year Old Facing Felony Charge For Stolen AR-15 Rifle Found In His Vehicle On Tate High Campus, ECSO Says”

  1. Shad long on March 22nd, 2022 5:33 pm

    I think it’s funny that even thought there is a Florida statute that states you can not release the photo of a former or current law enforcement officer or his family . They have post one before

  2. Susie on March 10th, 2022 8:17 am

    @Robin, respectfully, if you weren’t there when it happened, no, you don’t know.

  3. me on March 9th, 2022 8:53 pm

    @ David Huie Green

    R Moore is not referring to a judge in his comment?
    He is referring to Ginger Bowden Madden State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida (and daughter of the late Bobby Bowden).

  4. David Huie Green on March 9th, 2022 12:38 pm

    REGARDING:
    “… it turns in to a political issue??”

    I was wondering if it was meant to condemn the judge and those who elected her or to praise the wise choice and good job.

    David for better judges

  5. Concern citizen on March 9th, 2022 11:19 am

    I don’t know these people. I do pray this young man gets the help he needs. I do know he was in trouble as a teenager. Kids now days think they should be able to do what they want and have no one to answer to. I have friends that are going thru troubles with their teenager. Believe me I have seen it. A lot of parents hands are tied. You get tired. Once they turn 18 they want to be treated like an adult. Treat them like an adult. Get a job or get out of my house is what I say. Get in trouble with the law once adult you are on your own. These kids don’t understand til they get to this point. Now he will. All the friends he had before want be able to help him now. Most of them Can’t because they are still teenagers themselves.

  6. Robin on March 9th, 2022 10:28 am

    @Susie – The article says he was charged with grand theft of a firearm (felony), we do know his charge.

  7. Susie on March 8th, 2022 9:39 pm

    @RMoore You have no idea of this young man’s charge or if there is one; his past or present situation, what the circumstances were or are and you have no business trying to predict his future. Ya’ got nothing.

    I keep you in my prayers, Caden, your Mom and Dad who I love dearly, as well. That’s all I need to say!

  8. Olin Schultz on March 8th, 2022 8:18 pm

    Just an afterthought, why, every time someone is in trouble, it turns in to a political issue??

  9. D.B. on March 8th, 2022 7:26 pm

    U need to do ur own investigation before u judge.

  10. D.B. on March 8th, 2022 7:12 pm

    We are all wired the way we are wired. I really don’t believe it can be changed by all. Maybe some, but not all!

  11. R Moore on March 8th, 2022 4:08 pm

    He is in a bunch of trouble. State Attorney Bowden-Madden is tough on juveniles. She is correcting the behavior. He will be convicted in adult court since he is 18. I promise on God. Republicans voted for her!

  12. Olin Schultz on March 8th, 2022 4:07 pm

    It’s easy to forget that in today’s society, we raise our kids to the best of our ability. After that they have to be responsible for their own actions! There are a lot of outlining factors that are not written about this story and so it is very hard to point fingers or place blame. We as parents try to lead by example and I am sure it’s the same with this young man. I just pray that all comments that are made about this situation are supportive of the parents. I know both and they are extremely nice and awesome people. Hopefully the young man can get the help that he needs. Please remember that the story has alot more than what you might read!

  13. Bewildered on March 8th, 2022 4:46 am

    Don’t know any of the parties involved; this story is too muddled of a scenario to be true. Likely sour grapes, boyfriend too old or not suited for daughter….

  14. Stumpknocker on March 8th, 2022 4:20 am

    Wasn’t there a story that a kid was found at Tate with a firearm around the 15th of February, and authorities said it was true? So this 18 year old must have parents or guardian that is law enforcement or former law enforcement, he knows better then to take a firearm on school campus.