Accused White House Intruder Had Lots of Ammo

A former Army soldier accused of sprinting across the White House lawn and into the executive mansion on Friday had over 800 rounds of ammunition, a machete, and two hatchets in his car, prosecutors said today. They made their allegations during a 20-minute federal hearing where the suspect, Omar Gonzalez, was ordered held until Oct. 1 pending the dismissal of a bond in another arrest, the Washington Post reports. In that earlier incident, Gonzalez allegedly had a sawed off shotgun, two powerful rifles, four handguns, and other guns and ammunition in his Ford Bronco when troopers stopped him in southwestern Virginia on July 19.

Officials say Gonzalez initially tried to flee troopers, weaving and driving onto a highway median. He was arrested at the scene after a trooper found the illegal shotgun in his car. Gonzalez also had a map of Washington, DC, and camping equipment. In another incident, Gonzalez was apparently walking by the White House with a hatchet in his waistband and was stopped by Secret Service officers but not detained. Gonzalez's White House break-in—for which he faces up to 10 years in prison—has triggered a review of how the US Secret Service failed to stop him. Today the Secret Service beefed up its presence around the White House, CNN reports. (Gonzalez's relatives say he has PTSD and needs help.)