MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A 17-year-old is facing charges after school officials located a stolen handgun in his backpack that he told deputies he carried with him everywhere.
The Lake Weir High School officer had been notified that a Jacques Brown had an odor of marijuana coming from his backpack.
After making contact with the dean, a search was conducted of the student’s bag which revealed the stolen handgun, according to deputies.
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Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the gun was stolen out of an unlocked vehicle in August of 2019.
Brown faces charges of possession of a firearm on school property, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, unlawful possession of a firearm by someone under the age of 18, grand theft of a firearm and burglary.
He told deputies that he had the gun with him everywhere he went.
“We’re incredibly grateful that we were able to seize that gun on Monday and get it out of that student’s hands,” said Cecelia Koon with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Brown was later transported to the Marion County Jail.