Man arrested for minor cannabis charge found with loaded gun during courthouse screening

Chicago police arrested 23-year-old Philip Robinson on misdemeanor cannabis possession and resisting arrest charges late last month. The following morning, while being processed for a court appearance, Cook County Sheriff’s Office correctional staff identified a loaded 9mm Taurus pistol concealed in his groin during a standard X-ray screening. The weapon, loaded with 13 rounds and a round in the chamber, was safely removed before Robinson could enter the courthouse’s secure area.

The sheriff’s office referred the case to prosecutors, who approved three felony charges: possession of a firearm with a revoked FOID card, aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon. Although the SAFE-T Act would normally have led to his release on the misdemeanor, Judge John Hock kept Robinson in custody pending trial after learning of the weapon discovery. The incident raises questions about how the gun evaded initial police searches.