Homeless man brings gun to court to force arrest

Bringing a handgun and knife to the Harris County criminal courthouse is just asking to get arrested.

That was precisely the plan of a 30-year-old homeless man tired of living on the streets.

Jason Tanner allegedly brought the weapons to the courthouse on Thursday, trying to ensure a quick trip back to the jailhouse.

Tanner told officers he even considered building a fake bomb to get a spot in Harris County's jail, according to officials, but opted to stick a .45-caliber semi- automatic pistol in his waistband and fill one of his pockets with bullets.

"He walked up to Deputy Nyulassie and said, 'I'm carrying concealed weapons and need to be arrested,' " Precinct 1 Constable Deputy Chief J.C. Mosier said. "I've never seen anyone volunteer to get arrested."

Tanner also had a dozen rounds of ammunition and was carrying a knife, Mosier said.

He told authorities he was a felon. Mosier said Tanner was jailed in 2003 for driving while intoxicated and evading arrest in San Antonio. He also had numerous arrests for being drunk in public and traffic violations on his record.

"He's kind of a rowdy character but not a super bad guy," Mosier said.

Because guns are not allowed in the courthouse, Tanner was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawfully carrying a weapon in a public building.

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