A 44-year-old man from Washington, D.C., who was accused of attempting to smuggle a machete and three knives into the Capitol Visitor Center, has been released from custody. The man, identified as Mel J. Horne, allegedly tried to pass through security with two pocket knives and a box cutter in a plastic tray.
Authorities discovered the machete in his bag during a search. Horne claimed he was carrying the weapons for landscaping work and was visiting the U.S. Capitol to attend Former President Carter's Lying in State Funeral. However, he admitted to not being on his way to a landscaping job and stated that he carries these items with him everywhere due to being homeless.
