A man working as a security guard for Fox News during the Baltimore riots has been jailed since May 1 for carrying a gun without a concealed weapons permit.
Donald F. Scott, a 50-year-old married father of seven, is being held on $350,000 bail for possessing a handgun on his person and for possessing a handgun in a vehicle, The Baltimore Sun reported.
Mr. Scott had reportedly been assigned by Fox News to protect reporters and staff amid violent unrest following the police-involved death of Freddie Gray. Fox referred questions to a security contractor used by the network at the time, which did not respond to multiple requests for comment by The Sun.
Assistant Public Defender Anthony Strollo, who was appointed as Mr. Scott’s attorney after he was deemed indigent, said in a motion seeking his release that Mr. Scott is the breadwinner for his large family, The Sun reported.
“He comes from a family of law enforcement officers,” Mr. Strollo wrote. “We believe that he has no adult record and was in Baltimore to work security during the riots.”
Officer John Potter said he signaled to other officers after witnessing Mr. Scott take a Glock handgun out of his waistband and put it in his vehicle. Officers then found a loaded Cobra revolver in a second holster on Mr. Scott’s waist, The Sun reported.
Mr. Scott told the officers he left his weapons permit at home, but police later determined that he did not have a permit to carry in Maryland, Officer Potter’s statement said.
In a bail filing in court, the state said Mr. Scott “poses a serious threat to public safety.” Mr. Strollo said pretrial services incorrectly found Mr. Scott had a criminal conviction in Washington, D.C., The Sun reported.
Mr. Scott is scheduled to go to trial July 1, the paper reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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