Defendant arrested at Henderson casino with weapons stockpile pleads not guilty

A defendant accused of plotting a mass shooting pleaded not guilty Tuesday and asked for a speedy trial.

Allison Howlett, 36, was arrested late last month in the garage of Henderson casino Sunset Station. Police said the defendant, who was born male and was living as a female, had a stockpile of weapons.

Last week, Howlett was indicted on a slew of charges, including making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism, assault with a weapon constituting domestic violence, grand larceny of a firearm, grand larceny of a car, possession of machine gun or silencer and possession of short-barreled rifle or shotgun.

Howlett, who is being held on $500,000 bail, appeared for the arraignment hearing in jail custody. In response to questions from District Judge Erika Mendoza, the defendant reported having received a high school equivalency diploma and having attended some college.

Asked about learning disabilities, Howlett said, “I was diagnosed as a child with ADHD and autism.”

But the defendant confirmed understanding the hearing after talking to a public defender, but said, “I was confused at what stage of the process we were in.”

Chief Deputy Public Defender Dan Cho declined to comment after court.

Police reported recovering 24 guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from the vehicle Howlett was in at the time of arrest.

Howlett’s spouse called 911 to report that Howlett had stolen a car and planned to commit “suicide by cop” or carry out a mass shooting, Henderson Police Chief Reggie Rader previously said.

Police found an additional 26 guns at Howlett’s home, according to an arrest report.

“Allison denied wanting to hurt anyone and denied making any prior threats to commit a mass shooting,” the report said. “Allison stated that everyone is out to get her and are setting her up.”

The terrorism count against Howlett was added via the grand jury indictment, which prosecutors announced just a day after Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said there was not enough evidence to support a terroristic threat charge.

Howlett’s trial is scheduled for Oct. 12.