Secret Service Arrests White House Contractor With Outstanding Attempted Murder Warrant
WASHINGTON D.C. (WJZ/CBSNEWS) -- The Secret Service arrested a Maryland contractor outside the White House on Tuesday for an outstanding warrant that includes an attempted murder charge.
Police say 30-year-old contractor Martese Edwards showed up for work at the White House where his ID tipped off Secret Service that he was wanted for attempted murder in Prince George's County.
The county state's attorney spokesman says the crime happened more than a month ago.
"Those charges stem from a May 3rd incident where it is alleged that Mr. Edwrads shot the boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend. The victim in this case obviously is still alive. He was critically injured at the time," spokesperson John Erzen said.
According to police, a warrant was issued May 17 for attempted murder. Weeks before, White House security stopped him at the gates.
"Now as to why it was not seen by the Secret Service until June 4th, that's a question they would have to answer," Erzen said.
Edwards is now answering to a judge in D.C. before a warrant brings him back to Prince George's County.
Until Edwards is brought back to Prince George's County, a mug shot will not be released nor will details of the shooting.
Authorities say he already has a criminal history in Maryland.
A source familiar with the matter told CNN that Edward's badge did not give him access to the West Wing, where the president's offices are.
The Secret Service issued the following statement to CBS News:
"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. Edwards was transported to MPD Second District for processing."
The Associated Press said the Secret Service didn't provide Edwards' exact job or where he worked at the White House. It wasn't immediately clear if he has a lawyer.
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