Pork producer arrested near Capitol

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2014 – A National Pork Producers Council officer is being held in a Washington jail after being arrested today on a firearms violation outside the Cannon House Office Building near the U.S. Capitol.

Ron Prestage, a pork producer and veterinarian from Camden, South Carolina, was charged with carrying a pistol without a license. The firearm – a 9 mm Ruger pistol – was recovered as part of an administrative search required for entry into the building, according to U.S. Capitol Police. The building is one of several near the Capitol that contain offices for members of Congress.

In March, Prestage was elected NPPC president-elect at the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, Missouri. An NPPC official declined to comment on the arrest.

This is the second firearm-related arrest at the Cannon House Office Building in five days. Ryan Shucard, press secretary for Rep. Tom Marino, R-Penn., was arrested July 18 after police said they found a 9 mm handgun during a search. Shucard has since pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prestage is scheduled to appear before a judge Thursday morning.

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