Hudson Releases Statement on Harnett County Courthouse Mask Arrest

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) released the following statement on the arrest of Harnett County jury candidate Gregory Hahn for not wearing a mask ordered by Superior Court Judge Charles Gilchrist.

"Judge Gilchrist's ruling is outrageous. Even if you agree with the Judge's perspective on masks, Hahn should have never been arrested. There are other ways it could have been handled," said Rep. Hudson.

Hahn, a reported Navy veteran and single father, was jailed for 24 hours for not wearing a mask during an appearance for jury duty, despite no mask mandate existing in North Carolina, Harnett County, or the Lillington courthouse. Judge Gilchrist was first appointed as a judge in the 11th Judicial District by former Gov. Bev Perdue in 2010.