Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On Tuesday August 22nd at about 8:45 a.m. security screeners for the Humboldt County Court House in Eureka discovered a loaded handgun inside a briefcase. As the briefcase style bag was being passed through the security system, screeners identified what appeared to be a loaded handgun. Deputies from the Court Protection Unit responded to the screening station and confirmed the object was in fact a loaded semiautomatic .32 caliber pistol.

The briefcase and firearm belonged to a local attorney who claims to have inadvertently forgotten the firearm was inside the briefcase. The attorney was completely cooperative and apologetic. The firearm was seized and a report was filed and forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review. Charges of bringing a firearm into a state or local public building and carrying a loaded firearm in public may be pursued. Both charges are considered “Wobblers” and may be charged as felonies or misdemeanors.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to extend their appreciation to the Securitas Security Company for their continued professionalism and diligence while keeping our courthouse safe on a daily basis.