Las Vegas man accused of being fake doctor faces gun possession charges

Rick Van Thiel, who authorities say threatened lives by performing medical procedures without a license, was indicted on two felony gun charges by a federal grand jury Tuesday.

Van Thiel, 52, who prosecutors say espouses the beliefs of the anti-government "sovereign citizen" movement, is in federal custody.

He is accused of illegally possessing two handguns as a felon on Sept. 30.

Authorities on Sept. 30 seized the weapons and ammunition from a safe in a trailer owned by Van Thiel on property at 4928 E. Monroe Ave., according to an earlier federal complaint.

A man identified as Ronnie Leonard Grayson told authorities that he gave Van Thiel one of the weapons as collateral for a circumcision Van Thiel performed on him, the complaint said.

Van Thiel is barred from possessing handguns because of felony convictions that include attempted battery with substantial bodily harm, robbery, attempted robbery, burglary and assault with a firearm on a person, according to the complaint.

State authorities are pursuing murder, sexual assault and other charges against Van Thiel stemming from illicit procedures with more than 80 patients.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135. Find him on Twitter: @JGermanRJ