Holy cow, talk about your botched security background check.
The Secret Service arrested a White House contractor as he arrived for work on Tuesday on an outstanding warrant that includes an attempted murder charge.
The contractor, Martese Edwards, who was working for the White House National Security Council, was being sought on an attempted first-degree murder charge.
The warrant apparently was not entered into the Criminal Justice Information System until June 4th, despite having been issued on May 17th.
A Secret Service statement says Edwards was arrested when he reported for work Tuesday. A federal official says the warrant was for attempted first-degree murder. The details of the charge were not available. – @PeteWilliamsNBC reports
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) June 5, 2018
Secret Service says it learned of the arrest warrant when it was entered into the national Criminal Justice Information System on June 4. But 2 law enforcement officials say warrant was issued in mid-May, raising questions about why Maryland authorities didn’t enter it earlier
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) June 5, 2018
According to Prince George’s County police, Edwards had been identified as a suspect two weeks after a shooting that took place on May 3rd which involved his ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend.
A government contractor was taken into custody at a Secret Service checkpoint when he showed up for work. He was wanted for attempted murder. @PaulaReidCBS reports from the White House. https://t.co/PH1cT6TNu1 pic.twitter.com/lrYKOk3Awo
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 5, 2018
A Secret Service statement reveals details of the arrest.
“On June 4, 2018, the U.S. Secret Service was notified by the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) that Martese Edwards was the subject of a warrant issued out of Prince Georges County, MD. On June 5, 2018, Edwards was promptly arrested by Secret Service Uniformed Division Officers at a checkpoint outside of the White House complex when he was reporting to work as a contractor.”
An image of Edwards being taken into custody can be seen below …
Alex Wong/Getty
The U.S. Secret Service on Tuesday arrested a National Security Council contractor who was wanted in Maryland for attempted first-degree murder.
Martese Maurice Edwards was detained when he showed up for work at the White House on Tuesday morning, a day aft… pic.twitter.com/UjFjDeZzqk
— News Dingo (@NewsDingo) June 6, 2018
He was turned over to Washington, D.C. police for processing, charged as a fugitive from justice, and could face extradition to Maryland to face the murder charge.
President Trump was at the White House at the time of Edwards’ arrest for a celebration of America. He worked in the Old Executive Office Building next to the White House, according to a law enforcement official, but had no access to the West Wing.
This is not the first time a person has been arrested near the White House. (RELATED: Man Arrested With Gun Near White House).
Does the Secret Service need to be overhauled following this massive breach? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Source: NBC Washington
