A Marion County sheriff's detective arrested last week is accused of stealing five shotguns from a dead man's home while on duty in 2015, then selling them.

A daughter of Steven Heater reported he had several firearms in his Salem home and felt uneasy leaving them there unsecured after his death on Oct. 8, 2015. Detective Sean T. Banks responded to Heater's home three days after the death, put the guns into his police car and never gave the daughter a receipt, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Records show Banks, 49, sold or transferred ownership of five shotguns to two gun shops in Salem and Donald, the affidavit said. Those businesses sold the shotguns between February 2016 and January 2018.

Salem police began investigating Banks in July on suspicion of forging a check and discovered a "suspicious firearms transaction" while reviewing records. Banks initially denied to investigators that he stole any guns but later admitted to taking Heater's shotguns and selling them, the affidavit said. The shotguns were valued at $2,930.

Banks was placed on administrative leave on July 12, the day he was interviewed by investigators. He is accused of first-degree theft and first-degree official misconduct. State records show he's been with the sheriff's office since 2013.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey