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Stolen, loaded gun found in dirty laundry sent to HOC: “This situation could have ended much differently”
Stolen, loaded gun found in dirty laundry sent to HOC: "This situation could have ended much differently"
FRANKLIN (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele says a loaded gun was discovered in the dirty laundry sent from the County Jail to the House of Correction -- and he is applauding the quick action of correctional personnel at the House of Correction for their actions after the gun was found.
Abele says the House of Correction provides laundry services for a number of county entities, including the Milwaukee County Jail.
This incident is under investigation, but it appears the weapon was taken into the Milwaukee County Jail late last week by an inmate who then stashed the weapon in dirty laundry. Per usual procedure, on Monday morning, February 23rd, that laundry was sent to the House of Correction for cleaning.
"My concern, though -- probably like anybody hearing this story is how the hell does a loaded gun get through security? Shoutout to our staff at corrections for finding it and immediately notifying the state Department of Corrections," Abele said.
Indications are that the Sheriff’s Office was looking for the weapon, but they never alerted folks at the House of Correction, according to Abele's office.
House of Correction officials alerted the State Department of Corrections immediately after finding the gun.
Gun found at House of Correction
“We can never reinforce often enough how serious and crucially important robust controls and procedures are to prevent this sort of situation. Had the wrong person gotten his hands on this gun, this situation could have ended much differently. I’m very thankful that is not the case and that staff responded quickly and appropriately to the situation," Abele said.
House of Correction officials ran a search of the gun through the FBI’s National Crime Information Center and it was reported as a stolen weapon. The firearm had a round in the chamber and a full magazine.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke issued the following statement regarding this incident:
The Sheriff's Office runs the Milwaukee County Jail but not the House of Correction. The HOC was placed under a superintendent back in 2013.
Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this story.