Posted on 07/17/2010 5:22:10 AM PDT by Born Conservative
PLAINS TWP. – A Hazleton man was charged with leaving a loaded firearm in a men’s room at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs casino.
State police gaming enforcement unit charged Anthony Mope, 80, of Thirwell Street, with recklessly endangering another person. The charge was filed with District Judge Diana Malast in Plains Township on Thursday and mailed to Mope.
Mope could not be reached for comment on Friday.
According to the criminal complaint:
A casino employee cleaning restrooms found the firearm on the back of a toilet at about 3:40 p.m. on July 3.
State police said the firearm, a .45-caliber, had a full magazine with a round in its chamber.
The firearm was traced by its serial number to Mope. It wasn’t reported stolen.
A trooper obtained a picture of Mope, who was located near the casino’s food court at about 5 p.m.
Mope said he used the men’s room and removed the firearm from its holster. He placed the firearm on the back of a toilet, and forgot it when he left the restroom, the criminal complaint says.
State police said a review of players club information revealed Mope playing slot machines in the area of the restroom. He was recorded by surveillance cameras entering the men’s room at 2:31 p.m. and exiting three minutes later.
Surveillance cameras recorded 28 people entering the men’s room from 2:34 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. when a casino employee found it, the criminal complaint says.
State police said in the criminal complaint that the firearm was available to anyone who found it, including a person not permitted to possess a firearm.
Mope told state police he was unaware that firearms are prohibited in casinos.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on Aug. 17 before Malast.
OPPS
years ago I remember reading a story (posted here) about a Police Chief who did the same thing.
OMG! My mother’s plumber!
What about all those folks who drove on the public highways to get to the Casino? I'd say they were recklessly endangered too. The US gov't apparently let's all sorts of unlawfully present individuals roam the countryside.
What a mope.
.
It’s 8:43........do you know where your guns are?
Michael Corleone never showed up?
One of the guys in my outfit in Germany left his .45 in a Gasthaus when we were on our way to a training area. He didn’t get off lightly as I recall.
Remember that ... this happens fairly frequently, it's especially embarrassing for a police officer (usually off duty) when they leave their weapon behind.
I can see that happening. We once had an employee with a company issued cell phone who didn't know it had fallen into the toilet as he dropped his trowsers. He saw it in there just as he flushed the toilet and watched it go down the drain......
About a year ago I found a pistol left in the restroom of an Austin gun store. After letting the store know it was returned to its owner...an off duty police officer!
It was Clemenza!
So 28 people used the restroom after he did and *nobody bothered it*? But the public was “endangered”?
Rights do come with responsibilities.
“Remember that ... this happens fairly frequently, it’s especially embarrassing for a police officer (usually off duty) when they leave their weapon behind. “
Is alcohol usually involved ?
“years ago I remember reading a story (posted here) about a Police Chief who did the same thing.”
He was a trained law enforcement officer so it was OK.
Hmmm...was it taped to the back of the tank?
Seems there was a scene in “The Godfather”.....
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