U.S. Marshals Arrest “Operation Cold Snap” Fugitive

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Clay Millhouse, a/k/a “Bear,” 34, was arrested yesterday by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) on state and federal charges. Millhouse was one of three fugitives from last week’s “Operation Cold Snap,” an ATF-led operation that recovered a total of 82 illegally possessed firearms, and resulted in the filing of federal firearm and drug trafficking charges against 16 defendants in 10 separate indictments.

Millhouse is named in one of those federal indictments along with his co-defendant, Shad Rider-Sorden, a/k/a “Shadow,” 28, charging them with conspiracy to possess and sell stolen firearms and possession or sale of a stolen firearm.  Millhouse is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to the indictment, on Sept. 20, 2019, Millhouse, Rider-Sorden, and another individual, pulled into the driveway of an Anchorage residence in a pickup truck.  The indictment alleges that Millhouse and Rider-Sorden unlawfully entered the residence and exited carrying a large gun safe, which included approximately 12 firearms.  It is further alleged that on Nov. 25, 2019, Millhouse and Rider-Sorden sold firearms to another person, and cautioned the buyer about re-selling the firearms in the state. Millhouse has multiple felony convictions with the State of Alaska for crimes including Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Theft, and Robbery, which prohibited him from possessing firearms. 

If convicted, Millhouse and Rider-Sorden face a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  Millhouse was arrested by the USMS Pacific Northwest Violent Offenders Task Force (PNVOTF), which is comprised of the USMS, the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the Anchorage Police Department (APD), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carole Holley.

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.