Man arrested on gun charges
Butler police arrested a man wanted in Florida on kidnapping charges after they say he fired a gun into the air, endangering a group of people including juveniles last week.
Charles E. Hartman Jr., 23, no known address, was charged Monday with felony possession of a firearm prohibited, firearms not to be carried without a license and misdemeanor recklessly endangering another person after an incident May 14.
Butler police said they were called to the 200 block of Cecelia Street around 7:30 p.m. May 14 for a report of shots fired. A witness reported hearing a shot in the area of 480 E. Jefferson St., which abuts the south side of Cecelia Street, and then a group of people running from the area, police said.
Surveillance footage showed several people were in the area who appeared to be in a confrontation, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Several witnesses reported that a suspect known as “CJ” pulled a concealed revolver from his waistband and fired the gun with multiple people present, including juveniles, the document states.
The investigation found that “CJ” was living with a woman and her father on David Street in Prospect, and state police troopers went to the address, the document states. While en route, police said a call came in for “CJ” threatening and harassing people. State police arrived and identified “CJ” as Hartman, the document states.
Police said it was also found that Hartman is a fugitive from justice wanted in Florida for kidnapping charges. He also had a protection from abuse order filed against him and a criminal history including felonies, all making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.
He was arraigned before District Judge William Fullerton on Monday, and is being held in the Butler County Prison on $50,000 bail, as well as the Florida extradition detainer. A preliminary hearing is scheduled June 4 in Fullerton's court.
