PITTSBURGH -- A judge ordered former KDKA radio reporter Rob Milford, 53, of Castle Shannon, be held for trial on two charges, possession of a firearm in a court facility and carrying a firearm without a license.

Milford was taken into custody by Allegheny County sheriff's deputies after he allegedly brought a gun to the county courthouse on June 16.

Milford's Attorney, Wendy Williams, said her client is not guilty because he did not realize the gun was in his briefcase.

"The statute says knowingly. There's been nothing presented, even here, that said it was knowing," said Williams. "There's a big sign. There's no way somebody is going to walk into the courthouse when they can read the sign."

Williams would not answer questions as to why Milford had the gun in the first place.

On June 19, Milford, who had been suspended by the station pending an investigation, announced his resignation.

Milford was going through courthouse security when an X-ray machine detected a handgun in his briefcase, the sheriff's office said.

Milford did not have a permit to carry the gun, so the weapon was confiscated, deputies said.

"It was loaded," said Allegheny County Sheriff William Mullen. "It was a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson chrome-plated revolver."

Investigators said Milford acknowledged that he left the gun in his briefcase but said it belonged to his girlfriend.

"Basically, he said he made a mistake and left the firearm in the briefcase and forgot that the firearm was in the briefcase and brought it in," investigators said.

Officials with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are trying to determine whose gun was in Milford's briefcase.

Investigators said they received a call from a woman who is a friend of Milford and claims the gun belongs to her, but they have not verified that information and will wait until federal authorities can trace the gun back to its owner.

Milford has not returned WTAE Channel 4's phone calls seeking comment.

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