John Fanning's Wife Arrested on Gun Charge at Gwinnett Courthouse

Lesley Lynn Fanning, the estranged wife of former Gwinnett zoning official John Fanning, was charged with attempting to bring a handgun into the Gwinnett Justice Administration Center in Lawrenceville on Wednesday, Sept. 12, according to a report by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department.

The handgun was discovered in her purse or laptop computer bag about 1:45 p.m. as it was going through X-ray screening at the courthouse by Gwinnett Sheriff's Deputy Jimmy Melancon.

The gun and 10 rounds of ammunition were confiscated after other deputies arrived on the scene. Lesley Fanning was charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and carrying a weapon into a public gathering place.

John Fanning, also of Dacula, is the son of former Gwinnett Commissioner Shirley Lasseter.

Lesley Fanning was returning to the courthouse after lunch following an emergency custody hearing for the couple's three children Wednesday, according to other sources. She and John Fanning, who are in the process of obtaining a divorce, had been scheduled to meet with a guardian appointed by the judge that afternoon.

Lesley Fanning reportedly had borrowed the gun for her protection from a friend, had intended to return it, but forgot it was in her bag.

Lasseter pleaded guilty in federal court in Atlanta to bribery charges and was sentenced Sept. 5 to 33 months in prisont.

Sentencing for John Fanning, who has pleaded guilty to bribery and drug charges, was delayed until Sept. 18.

During a search of Lesley Fanning’s belongings, a bottle of prescription pills, which were later identified as various forms of oxycodone, hydrocodone, amphetamine, Prozac, and Motrin, was found. She was also charged with carrying prescription drugs that were not in their original container(s).

Lasseter, John Fanning, Lesley Fanning and other family members on both sides had reportedly been at the custody hearing Wednesday morning. Lasseter remains out on bond until she turns herself in to a minimum security federal prison in a few weeks.

John Fanning is out on bond while awaiting his sentencing.

Lesley Fanning was released from the Gwinnett County Detention Center Thursday after posting bond.

See also:

Lasseter Sentenced to 33 Months