A middle school administrator in Bakersfield, California, has sued the city and its police department after he was arrested for bringing a handgun on campus.
Kent Williams, 51, vice principal of Tevis Junior High School since 2010, has been bringing a gun to school regularly since obtaining a concealed-carry permit in order to protect students and staff in case of an intruder, he told KBAK-TV. Police, the outlet reported, arrested him Aug. 28 under the premise that he violated the California Gun Free Zone Act. Authorities released him after reviewing the law and finding his permit carried no restrictions.
Williams said he feels the arrest has damaged his credibility.
"This was an illegal arrest," Williams' attorney, Daniel Rodriguez, told local ABC affiliate KERO-TV. "Was it just sloppiness, indifference, laziness? I don't know. What I do know is that you cannot have probable cause if you have a mistake."
Williams also may seek action against the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, KBAK-TV reported. He has been placed on paid administrative leave while the district conducts an internal investigation into whether his bringing a gun to school violated any district policies.
According to the police report, Williams lacked necessary authorization from the district superintendent or school board to bring the gun on campus.
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