TAMPA, Fla. — A school security officer with Hillsborough County Schools was arrested Friday after the Sheriff's Office said he pawned off his agency-issued gun.
- Leroy King, 36, charged with providing false information
- He worked at Mango Elementary School in Seffner
- Sheriff Chronister "outraged" at incident
He was found carrying a toy pellet gun during an inspection at the school, according to a news release.
Leroy King, 36, worked at Mango Elementary School in Seffner. He was arrested Friday.
According to the Sheriff's Office, King also pawned his ballistic vest and a weapon mount light. The items were sold during different dates.
A school security supervisor discovered that King didn't have his gun during a recent unannounced inspection.
King admitted to authorities that he pawned off the items because of financial difficulties.
He faces multiple felony charges of providing false information on a pawn broker form.
"As a parent, I am outraged to know that someone given such a monumental task of protecting our children would so carelessly sell the weapon he was provided with to fulfill that purpose," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "We are fortunate that a catastrophic event did not happen during the time that Leroy King had sold his weapon, but it does not make his actions any less severe."