A security guard assigned to protect Fox News host Geraldo Rivera and other network employees is facing multiple weapons charges after police said that he was illegally carrying a handgun in Baltimore.
The Baltimore Sun reported that Officer John Potter said that Donald F. Scott caught his attention after a curfew went into effect on May 1 because he was holding handcuffs and an ammunition box.
The officer then saw Scott opening a Fox News SUV and taking a Glock handgun from his waistband.
A probable cause statement indicated that officers detained Scott and confirmed that his Glock had one round in the chamber. Scott also had a second Cobra revolver in a holster on his waist, the statement said.
According to the officer's account, Scott insisted that he had a permit to carry the weapon, but he said that he left it at home. Records later showed, however, that Scott did not have a permit.
Scott was charged with possessing a handgun on his person and possessing a handgun in a vehicle.
Police released the Chevy SUV to Fox News, the Sun reported.
The state of Maryland argued in a bail filing that Scott "poses a serious threat to public safety." He was being held lieu of $350,000 bond, and has been assigned a public defender after being declared indigent by the state.
In a motion to have him released, Assistant Public Defender Anthony Strollo wrote that Scott was a former law enforcement officer.
"He comes from a family of law enforcement officers," Strollo noted. "We believe that he has no adult record and was in Baltimore to work security during the riots."
