Officials voice serious concerns after discovery of shank on inmate in courtroom

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- People who work inside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center say they're concerned after an inmate on trial for burglary was busted with a shank in the courthouse.

"I can't imagine a more dangerous circumstances then a hidden weapon," says 180th Criminal District Court judge Catherine Evans.

A bailiff found the shank tied to Welin Alford's groin area during a pat-down while he was in a holdover cell Thursday. He was due in court to hear the verdict on a robbery with intent to assault charge.

"The notion that in being transported over here where there should be a number of safety mechanisms and checkpoints, that that would not have been done and you could have somebody in the courtroom posing that immediate threat is of great concern and should be of concern to everybody over here," Judge Evans says.

Friday, we pressed Sheriff Adrian Garcia on how Alford got the shank past his deputies. He stands by their work.

"I have confidence that they are out there doing what they need to do," Garcia says. "But because these individuals, they are not standing up saying 'Hey I got a shank if you want it.' They are hiding it."

Garcia tells us they have a tough and complex job and sometimes weapons fall through the cracks.

"They employees are always in harm's way because we just don't know who else is doing this," he said.

"If there was a weapon that was allowed into a courtroom by whatever means, yes I think that's of huge concern and I'm certain everybody involved in the process would want that addressed quickly," adds Judge Evans.

Deputies found two more shanks in Welin Alford's cell after this incident. He's charged with prohibited substance in a correctional facility.

Judge Evans says she hopes Sheriff Garcia conducts a thorough review.