A New Jersey man allegedly grabbed a loaded handgun as police officers tried to arrest him on child pornography charges this week.

Authorities had been investigating 29-year-old Anthony Marano since late last year following a lead by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s High Tech Crime Unit.

While serving a search warrant at his home in Jackson on Tuesday morning, police say that instead of answering the door, Marano went into a bedroom.

Officers forced their way into the home and came face to face with Marano as he exited the bedroom holding a loaded, semi-automatic handgun, according to police.

The officers ordered him to drop the weapon multiple times, police said. He eventually complied and was arrested.

After arresting Marano, officers found child porn in the home, according to police.

Marano faces charges of aggravated assault, possession of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography.

It wasn’t immediately known if he had an attorney who could comment on the charges.

He serves on Jackson Township's Zoning Board of Adjustment, according to the Associated Press.

