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White House intruder had a knife

A man who made it as far as the North Portico of the White House before being arrested allegedly had a knife in his pocket.

By Danielle Haynes
North side of the White House is shown prior to the address of United States President Barack Obama to the nation on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 in Washington, DC. UPI/Ron Sachs/Pool
North side of the White House is shown prior to the address of United States President Barack Obama to the nation on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 in Washington, DC. UPI/Ron Sachs/Pool | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A man who scaled the fence surrounding the White House and made it just inside the North Portico of the building was carrying a knife, court records indicate.

Secret Service officers arrested Omar Gonzalez, 42, of Copperas Cove, Texas, Friday night after he allegedly attempted the breach.

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He was charged with unlawful entry while in possession of a deadly or dangerous weapon while appearing Saturday at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

A police affidavit said a three-and-a-half-inch Spyderco VG-10 black, serrated folding knife was found in Gonzalez's pants pocket when he was arrested.

The document went on to say that after he was arrested, Gonzalez told a Secret Service agent "he was concerned that the atmosphere was collapsing and need to get the information to the President of the United States so that he could get the word out to people."

Gonzalez told officials he served 18 years in the military and did three tours of service in Iraq. He said he lived in Washington, D.C., for three months, but had no known address.

His family said he had post traumatic stress disorder stemming from his years in the military.

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The affidavit said he had no criminal history, no convictions and a drug test came back negative.

Gonzalez was held without bond and has a federal court hearing Monday.

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