Cop: Man with gun tattoo had real gun in waistband
Posted: June 16, 2014 - 3:30am

Michael Smith, left, bearing a realistic-looking tattoo of a handgun on his stomach, stands beside a Somerset County Sheriff deputy outside his home in Norridgewock, Maine. Smith was arrested Friday, June 13, 2014, after he allegedly showed up at a deputy’s home with a real gun in his waistband and drugs in his backpack. He was charged with stealing prescription narcotics from his girlfriend and released from the Somerset County Jail on $1,000 cash bail. It's not known if he has a lawyer. (AP Photo)
MADISON, Maine (AP) -- A man with a realistic-looking tattoo of a gun on his stomach had the real thing tucked into his waistband when he was arrested, police said. Police told the Morning Sentinel that 41-year-old Michael Smith, of Norridgewock, showed up at a sheriff's deputy's home Thursday night. He was crying and had been drinking, authorities said. Smith told police he had a fight with his ex-girlfriend and had stolen prescription narcotics from her, authorities said. He was charged with stealing drugs, and his gun was confiscated. He was released from jail on $1,000 bail. His phone has been disconnected, and he couldn't be reached for comment. Madison police Officer Eric Bronson said Smith was carrying a .40-caliber Glock but isn't facing any gun charges because Maine is an open-carry state and his weapon was visible. Smith's next court date is Aug. 6. Smith made headlines in March when members of a tree removal crew he'd told to clear off his property reported that he had a gun. But the gun turned out to be his tattoo. He told the newspaper then that the tattoo had never been a problem before. He wasn't charged in that case.