When county sheriff deputies took convicted felon Hafiz El into custody near Lose Park on Memorial Avenue last week on a warrant from Clinton County, the 30-year-old man was carrying a loaded handgun in his waistband, according to court records.

El, of 414 Rose St., told the deputies the handgun belong to his girlfriend and that he was on his way to meet her to give her the gun, according to an affidavit. That was a lie, the deputies said.

The serial number on the weapon came back to another person who owned the gun, the deputies said.

Following his arraignment hours later before District Judge Christian Frey on charges of convicted felon not to possess a firearm and carrying a firearm without a license, and committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $125,000 bail.