Man Accused of Taking Gun Into Courthouse
A 27-year-old Pacoima man was arrested Thursday morning at the door of the San Fernando Courthouse after he tried to bring a loaded gun into the building, authorities said.
Pedro Martinez Ortiz was carrying a .357 magnum wrapped in a black leather purse when he tried to enter the courthouse about 9:45 a.m. It is a felony to bring a loaded weapon into a courthouse.
Deputy Marshal Jimmy Garcia, who was conducting routine security checks at the front door, discovered the weapon when Ortiz allowed him to look in the handbag.
When Garcia discovered the gun, Ortiz denied any knowledge of the weapon. He said the purse belonged to a female friend who was waiting in court for another friend’s arraignment.
A police check revealed that the weapon had been stolen. Ortiz will be charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession of stolen property. He faces a maximum sentence of five years.
Ortiz was booked into the San Fernando Police Department and bail was set at $1,500.
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