Memory Lapse -- Woman Forgot Gun Was in Ankle Holster Before Entering Courthouse: Prosecutor

Denise Smith, 47 | Cook County Sheriff

An Oak Lawn woman accused of carrying a gun into the Bridgeview Courthouse claims she forget she had the firearm with her when it was discovered during a pat-down by Cook County Sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors said.

Denise Smith, 47, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on felony charges of aggravated use of an unlawful weapon on government supported property and unlawful use of a weapon.

• Also on Patch: Oak Lawn Woman Packing .38 Smith & Wesson Arrested at Bridgeview Courthouse: Sheriff

According to the charges, Smith was passing through security to attend her son’s trial on Wednesday morning, when she set off the metal detector. The sheriff’s deputy had her walk through the metal detector again when the alarm went off a second time.

A female sheriff’s deputy patted down Smith and found a loaded .38 Smith & Wesson gun in a holster strapped to Smith’s ankle, the prosecutor said.

Smith allegedly told sheriff’s deputies she received the gun from her father for protection and she forgot she had the gun on her.

The prosecutor said the gun was loaded with five live rounds. Smith did not have a FOID card or a conceal-carry permit.

“That’s a big memory lapse,” Judge Felice said. “I can’t imagine someone walking into this facility carrying a gun, let alone a loaded gun.”

The assistant public defender told the judge that Smith was married and lived in Oak Lawn with her family. She works as the day manager for an Oak Lawn tavern and was in the process of getting a FOID card and conceal-carry permit.

Smith’s father and other family members were present in court. The could only post $500 bond.

“We’ll call this a serious aberration and unguarded moment,” Judge Felice said, setting bail at $10,000.

Judge Felice ordered Smith to surrender all other firearms and ammunition to the Oak Lawn Police Department.

“If you have fear for your safety, dial 9-1-1 on your cell phone,” the judge said.

Smith is due back in court on March 24 in Bridgeview.