Felon arrested for allegedly walking with firearm in front of officer

SANDUSKY – A 20-year-old man with a prior felony weapons conviction was arrested and charged with three felonies early Sunday morning after a police officer observed him carrying a firearm while walking on a sidewalk.

According to a report from the Sandusky Police Department, an officer observed Kenneth McCarty Jr., walking outside the 7-Eleven on Camp Street with a firearm pointing down. McCarty, according to the report, was looking back at several males who were approaching him.

When they observed the officer in his vehicle, McCarty concealed the firearm in a waste-band under his shirt and the other males stopped approaching him, the report states.

McCarty continued walking, eventually turning into a nearby driveway, the report states. Due to McCarty having a prior felony weapons conviction from a 2019 incident, which prohibits him from owning a firearm, police soon arrested him.

According to the report, McCarty first denied having a firearm, but the report states that police found a loaded 9mm pistol in the bushes near the driveway where McCarty walked in. In McCarty’s pocket, according to the report, police found a live 9mm bullet and two bags of suspected marijuana.

McCarty was charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; carrying concealed weapons, a fourth-degree felony; and weapons under disability, a third-degree felony.

This article was written by Nate Hinners. Contact Nate at nhinners@huroninsider.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Erie County Jail