Conviction Stands For Man Who Found Cop’s Gun in Bathroom

The Michigan appeals court has affirmed the conviction of a northern Michigan man who kept a state trooper’s gun that was found in a grocery store restroom where it was forgotten by the trooper after a restroom visit.

Cops say Tim Flanagan of Kalkaska County knew the gun probably belonged to an officer when he found it at a Glen’s store in 2013. Police investigating an unrelated matter many weeks later learned about the pistol from Flanagan’s wife.

Flanagan testified that he found the gun on top of a toilet paper dispenser and took it home for safety. He was convicted of concealing a stolen firearm and sentenced to 60 days in jail.

Flanagan contends the gun wasn’t stolen. But the appeals court this week said he knew it belonged to someone else.