There is a lot of confusion about this story, here is what actually happened.
A Washington, D.C., man has been released from custody after being arrested for attempting to smuggle a machete and several knives into the Capitol Visitor Center last week. Mel J. Horne, 44, was detained after security officials discovered the weapons in his bag while he was trying to pass through the Capitol’s security checkpoints.
Horne reportedly placed two pocket knives and a box cutter into a plastic tray at the X-ray screening station. A subsequent search of his bag uncovered a machete. According to the police affidavit, Horne claimed he was visiting the Capitol to attend the memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter. He told authorities that the knives and machete were for “landscaping work” — despite the fact that there was more than six inches of snow on the ground, and the city had declared a snow emergency.
Upon further questioning, Horne admitted that he was homeless and carried the weapons everywhere he went. When asked about his last landscaping job, Horne acknowledged that he was not coming from or going to any work site. His explanation of carrying dangerous tools for personal use raised doubts, and the authorities questioned his intentions.
Horne was granted conditional pre-trial release following a court hearing, with an order to stay away from the Capitol. Court records also reveal a troubled past for Horne, who had been living with his parents until a 2022 legal dispute. His mother filed a civil complaint seeking his removal from their home, citing violent behavior and substance abuse problems, specifically with PCP. Horne was reportedly violent during a series of confrontations, leading his mother to seek assistance from community resources.
This latest arrest comes amid heightened security around the Capitol, as former President Donald Trump attended the memorial for President Carter. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger emphasized the importance of vigilance in keeping the Capitol safe, noting that officers must remain on high alert at all times.
Horne faces multiple charges for carrying dangerous weapons, and while he has a history of criminal issues, the full details of his previous convictions remain unclear. The arrest is a stark reminder of the ongoing security threats faced by lawmakers and citizens visiting the Capitol.