An 80-year-old Georgia man was arrested, and two others were detained, while trying to "deliver documents to the U.S. Supreme Court," after U.S. Capitol Police found multiple guns in their vehicle.
The incident unfolded Wednesday afternoon when police spotted a "suspicious vehicle" on Capitol grounds. Police said the small white van was parked illegally along the 100 block of East Capitol Street.
Officers with the Capitol Police Hazardous Incident Response Division quickly responded to the scene.
Police initially detained the driver, identified as 80-year-old Tony H. Payne of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, along with an unidentified man and woman.
"The driver told us he had guns in the van. A K-9 also 'hit' on the vehicle," police said in a statement.
Officers searched the van and found two handguns and a shotgun inside. At that point, Payne was taken into custody.
"Weapons are banned from Capitol grounds, yet dozens of people are arrested each year for violating the law," police said.
A pipe and containers were also found in the van, so officers did a thorough search before clearing the scene.
Police said the individuals told investigators "they were here to deliver documents to the U.S. Supreme Court." It's not clear what the documents contained or if that was even their intended purpose for being at the Capitol.
Payne was arrested on charges including unregistered firearm, unregistered ammunition, and carrying a pistol without a license.
The woman and the other man were released without charges.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Related
Related
