TEXARKANA, Texas -- A man arrested at a Texarkana restaurant last year with a pistol and approximately $50,000 stuffed in his pants pleaded guilty Monday to unlawfully carrying a weapon.
Micholas Kaymen Bryant, 21, was the subject of a suspicious person report made to Texarkana, Texas, police regarding a man with a large bulge in his pants walking inside Red Lobster.
Officers dispatched to the restaurant noted that the man, later identified as Bryant, was holding the bulge when officers approached and asked what was in his pants. Bryant reportedly told the officers "it was money" and slightly raised the blue hoodie he was wearing, revealing a black semi-automatic pistol tucked into his waistband. An officer grabbed the weapon and Bryant was cuffed and taken outside.
Bryant told the officers he had between $40,000 and $50,000 in a bag in his pants. When asked, Bryant told the officers he did not have any banking receipts for the money.
Bryant reportedly lied about his name and claimed he didn't know where the money came from or to whom it belonged. The money from the bag and additional currency found in Bryant's pockets came to $49,911.21.
After officers determined Bryant's name, they reportedly discovered he was wanted in Kansas for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Officers determined a Cadillac SUV parked at the restaurant was Bryant's and noted it smelled strongly of marijuana. A wooden box labeled "Mick" and containing 3.5 grams of marijuana was found in the glove compartment. Powdered THC and THC edibles were found in the trunk.
Paperwork showing Bryant had been arrested July 2 in Kansas for possession of marijuana and a firearm reportedly was found in the car, along with a receipt from a Gucci store in Dallas showing the purchase of a hat and a pair of flip-flops for $1,125.
Bryant appeared Monday morning with Texarkana lawyer Jason Horton for a hearing before 5th District Judge Bill Miller. Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter said the state has agreed that felony charges of money laundering and possession of a controlled substance should be taken under advisement after Bryant pleaded giulty to unlawfully carrying a weapon on premises where alcohol is served.
Miller ordered officers with Bowie County probation to prepare a presentence investigation report meant to assist the court at sentencing. Miller scheduled the case for sentencing in July.
The state has filed a civil action seeking forfeiture of the cash seized from Bryant at the time of his arrest last year.
Bryant is free on bond. He faces two to 10 years in prison or up to a 10-year term of probation at sentencing.