A Pennsylvania constable is facing a misdemeanor charge for leaving a loaded weapon in a public restroom. James Drahovsky, a 70-year-old constable with over two decades of service, reportedly forgot his loaded Glock 27 in the bathroom at the District Justice Office located at 502 State Drive in Lebanon County, as stated by Chief County Detective Jonathan Hess in the affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice. The incident occurred on August 26, and during the hour that the gun was unattended, at least ten people entered the lobby, including a young child.
Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf confirmed the ongoing investigation involving Drahovsky to abc27 News, remarking, "I cannot comment on the outcome or specifics of the investigation at this time." Court records indicate that the gun, which had six .40 caliber bullets in its magazine, was eventually found by a person in the public lobby's restroom of Magisterial District Jude Figeuroa's office and reported to staff. Graf later stated, "anyone could have entered the restroom and stolen Drahovsky’s gun."
Surveillance footage from outside the restroom showed Drahovsky entering the bathroom at 1:37 p.m. with his gun holstered and leaving at 1:44 p.m. without the weapon. A preliminary hearing for the case has yet to be scheduled, as reported by Daily Voice. Drahovsky's actions have led to a suspension from his duties as constable, pending the investigation’s outcome, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania’s Administrative Office of Courts told Local 21 News.
Ian Castaneda, vice president of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Constables, weighed in on the matter, telling abc27 News, "Obviously leaving a loaded firearm in a bathroom is concerning and needs to be addressed." He added while clarifying he was not speaking on behalf of the group and was unaware of the specific case details, "This has happened probably in just about every area of law enforcement." Castaneda mentioned that law enforcement officers who accidentally misplace loaded guns often aren't charged, juxtaposing Drahovsky's situation with the broader context of human error amidst the demanding nature of their duties.
