Christopher Sims, accused of brandishing a handgun in the Kentucky State University student center, has pleaded not guilty to two felonies and two misdemeanors.
Franklin County Attorney Rick Sparks said court officials arraigned Sims, 23, of Louisville, in a conference room Thursday at the Franklin County Regional Jail.
Normal court facilities are unavailable because staff and equipment are moving to a temporary facility on Chamberlin Avenue.
Sims faces two felonies – unlawful possession of a weapon on school property and first-degree promoting contraband – and two misdemeanors – concealing a deadly weapon and first-degree disorderly conduct.
Sparks said Sims had bullets and other contraband in his pockets when arrested.
Frankfort police arrested Sims Tuesday at gunpoint and without incident in the Carl M. Hill Student Center’s computer lab, Maj. Fred Deaton and witnesses said.
Sims pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at students in a threatening way and swore, but didn’t fire any shots, Deaton said. No one was injured.
Sims remains in jail on a $50,000 full cash bond and is scheduled to appear in court again at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Sparks said he’s not sure where the hearing will be – possibly at the temporary judicial center if the facility is ready, he said.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland said Sims could be indicted by the grand jury on March 17.
Sims has been suspended from KSU.
Byron Grizzle, records manager for the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, said a man matching Sims’ name and age spent two days in jail after being convicted of reckless driving in March 2009.
Davidson County includes Nashville where Sims reportedly attended Tennessee State University.
According to the warrant filed against Sims, he was arrested in November 2008 for driving under the influence.
“The defendant was stopped because his stereo was too loud,” according to the warrant. “The defendant slammed on his brakes and came to a stop. He exited the vehicle and approached officers. The defendant had an obvious odor of alcohol coming from his expelled breath. His eyes were watery. He stated that he drank one 40-ounce beer. He agreed to perform the field sobriety test…he showed obvious indicators of impairment…He then agreed to submit to a breath test. He blew a .129.”
The charges were amended to reckless driving, and Sims spent two days in jail, Grizzle said.