Essex County Man Tried To Bring Gun To Court, Cops Say

Authorities arrested a 55-year-old Newark man on Tuesday morning when he attempted to enter the Essex County Courts complex with a loaded handgun.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Office stated that Leon Mack arrived at the Hall of Records’ east entrance shortly after 10 a.m.

Officers discovered a .25 caliber, fully loaded and defaced Astra Cub Model after running Mack’s backpack ran through the conveyor belt of the facility’s X-ray machine.

While removing the backpack for further examination, Mack ran from the scene but was quickly captured and placed in handcuffs.

“The suspect had come to the complex to attend to a pending matter in Tenant – Landlord court,” Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.

Police charged Mack with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and resisting arrest.

Mack was lodged at the county jail. His bail was set at $100,000 cash bond only.