Summit County deputies say a man who tried to get into the Summit County Courthouse bearing a handgun and with a child in handcuffs will face a battery of charges for impersonating a police officer -- and they're hoping other children who may have taken part in a fake "Scared Straight Program" will come forward.

Deputies and Akrn police say 26-year old Christopher S. Hendon of Akron claimed he was a "Resource Officer" and dressed in "tactical police attire," including a weapon. He was stopped on April 6th, and a subsequent search of his home yielded a handgun, a fake firearm, handcuffs, a tactical vest and items with police labels. Charges range from weapons charges, criminal trespass and impersonating a peace officer. He's being held in the Summit County Jail.

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(Summit County Sheriff) On April 6, 2017 the Summit County Sheriff's Office was contacted by court personnel in reference to an individual attempting to gain entry into a County Courthouse with a firearm. The suspect had a child in handcuffs with him and the suspect claimed to be a Resource Officer working as a part of a "Scared Straight Program."

The Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation with the assistance of the Akron Police Department. During the course of the investigation, investigators identified the suspect as Christopher S. Hendon. It was determined that on 4 occasions, Hendon attempted to gain access to a County Courthouse while dressed in tactical police attire and carrying a firearm. Each time, he had children in handcuffs and he portrayed himself as a "Resource
Officer." On one occasion, Hendon attempted to gain entry into the Summit County Jail with handcuffed children.

It was determined that Hendon is not a certified peace officer in the state of Ohio. On April 24, the Summit County Sheriff's Office and Akron Police Department executed a search warrant at Hendon's Akron residence. During the search, investigators seized a handgun, a simulated firearm, handcuffs, law enforcement equipment, a tactical vest, and items labeled with police insignias (photos attached). Christopher S. Hendon, age 26 of Akron was arrested and charged with (4) counts of Illegal Conveyance of a Deadly Weapon into a Courthouse (F-5), (4) counts of Criminal Trespass (M-4), and (4) counts of Impersonating a Peace Officer (F-3).

He was transported to the Summit County Jail.

If you know of a child that participated in Hendon's "Scared Straight Program," please contact the Summit County Sheriff's Detective Bureau at 330-643-2131.