An Atlantic City man wanted on a drug court warrant was arrested fleeing police with a handgun, according to new charges.
Okese Smith, 25, was sentenced to Recovery Court last year on a 2019 robbery charge, court records show. He previously was sentenced to five years in prison on a 2014 gun charge.
Smith was currently wanted on a warrant for failure to appear when Detectives Alberto Valles, Darrin Lorady, Ermindo Marsini and Nicholas Berardis saw him in the 1200 block of Caspian Avenue just before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to police.
Smith fled but was caught when he slipped running through a construction site, Lt. Kevin Fair said.
While running, a loaded handgun Smith had in his waistband slipped down into his pant leg, Fair added.
Smith is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, certain person not to possess a weapon, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice and contempt of court.
Smith is now in the Atlantic County Justice Facility, and has a hearing scheduled before Recovery Court Judge Jeffrey Waldman.
NOTE: This defendant has the same name as another Atlantic City man who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for a 2011 homicide.
