The state Office of Court Administration is investigating how an ex-con managed to show up in a Bronx courtroom with a gun tucked in his underwear, authorities said Wednesday.
Jamal Frett, 26, entered the Bronx’s Hall of Justice on E. 161st St. at about 11:10 a.m. on Monday and told court officers by the front entrance that he was wearing a law enforcement monitor on his left ankle, the Office of Court Administration said.
Frett walked through a metal detector, which went off. Court officers noted the ankle monitor and used a handheld scanner on Frett. They also patted him down, but found no weapon, OCA said.
Frett then headed to Judge Guy Mitchell’s courtroom, where court officers chastised him for talking on his phone. He was told he had to leave and, as he was being escorted out, Frett resisted arrest and threatened court officers, according to court documents.
“Don’t f—–g touch me,” he allegedly said. “Come see me outside (if) you want some!”
When he was finally subdued, officers found the gun, a loaded .380-caliber Ruger, on him. Frett, charged with weapons possession and resisting arrest, was arraigned and ordered held without bail.
The OCA is investigating the security breach. Court officers have also been told to be extra careful when searching courthouse visitors wearing ankle monitors, steel-toed shoes and large belt buckles that would set off magnetometers.
It wasn’t clear why Frett was in Judge Mitchell’s courtroom.
He was conditionally released on parole in March after serving five years in state prison for an attempted murder and gang assault conviction, according to court records. He was arrested again in April for assault and weapons possession, but was not due back in court until November 5, officials said.