A convicted sex offender is facing felony charges after deputies say he pointed a gun at the Anson County Courthouse last week.

The Anson County Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video from around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 that appears to show a man in a white T-shirt and camouflage shorts walk up the courthouse steps with a rifle in his right hand, lift the rifle as soon as he reaches the top and aim it at the courthouse door.

He takes a few steps forward, then lowers the rifle to his side as he opens the door.

Investigators say the man had the rifle partially concealed behind his back when he stood in the doorway and asked the deputy providing security if there was a term of court being held that day.

When the deputy replied no, the man shut the door and left.

After the suspect walked down the steps, video shows the deputy walk to the door and pull out a cellphone to make a call. He then walks out slowly and stands at the top of the steps by the handrail, looking around for about seven seconds before going back inside.

According to investigators, the deputy was suspicious of the man’s activity and attempted to locate him, observing him getting into a black four-door sedan with the rifle and leaving the scene. The sheriff’s office soon issued an attempt to locate to surrounding counties.

After developing leads, deputies arrested 35-year-old Kurtis Eugene Russell without incident around 2 p.m. at his Vintage Road home in Lilesville.

Investigators did not release the make of the rifle allegedly used.

Online court records show Russell is facing charges of: possession of a weapon on state property or courthouse, going armed to the terror of the people — both misdemeanors according to state law — larceny of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a weapon of mass destruction and terrorism. The latter four charges are all felonies.

He is currently in the Anson County Jail under a $5 million secured bond with a court date scheduled for Aug. 29.

Deputies say Russell has lived in Anson County for 12 years.

Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Russell was convicted on a felony charge of taking indecent liberties with a child in 2004 in Alexander County and was given probation.

His name does not appear in the N.C. Sex Offender Registry.

In 2007, he was given probation when convicted on a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Sheriff Landric Reid recently instituted several security measures for the courthouse, including scanners and hiring a deputy to provide security the entire time the building is open. Previously, deputies were only on guard when court was in session.

“Before this security was in place, no telling what people were taking in,” Reid told the Record in July. “People just believe that, at times, guns are the best idea in the world and take care of problems, so we have to be able to secure the courthouse. As the sheriff, it’s my constitutional responsibility to secure the courthouse. I’m the security for the courthouse.”

Reid has plans to hire another deputy for the courthouse.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_toler.

Courtesy photo This screenshot from surveillance video appears to show 35-year-old Kurtis Russell aiming an assault rifle at the front door of the Anson County Courthouse.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_anson_courtgun.jpgCourtesy photo This screenshot from surveillance video appears to show 35-year-old Kurtis Russell aiming an assault rifle at the front door of the Anson County Courthouse.

Russell
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Anson_kurtisrussellmug.jpgRussell
Deputies: Man aimed assault rifle at courthouse door

By William R. Toler

wtoler@civitasmedia.com