Cleveland Judge Lance Mason’s House Turned Upside Down To Reveal An Armory Of Weapons

Cleveland Judge Lance Mason’s house was searched Saturday, revealing smoke grenades, semi-automatic rifles, a sword, a bulletproof vest, and more than 2,500 rounds of ammunition.

Lance Mason was first appointed to the Common Pleas court by former Governor Ted Strickland in August 2008. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and served as the former assistant Cuyahoga County prosecuting attorney before being appointed judge.

The investigation began when a domestic disturbance in Cuyahoga County was called in on Saturday at noon. Police investigation revealed that Lance Mason was beating his wife Aisha Mason and harming their two children. After 30 minutes, Mason’s house was searched, which revealed the vast armory in the bedroom and attic. Soon after, Mason was arrested and taken to Shaker Heights Municipal Jail.

Mason’s wife was taken to the hospital with serious facial injuries, where she wrote in her divorce filings that her husband, “struck me in the face, yanked my hair, slammed my head into the dashboard and armrest of the car.” She has since been released.

According to the official report, police found about 2,300 live rounds of various calibers, 500 shotgun slugs, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a Winchester shotgun, a 50-shell shotgun belt, a FNH P90 semi-automatic rifle, a JLD Enterprises PTR-91 semi-automatic rifle, a Smith & Wesson handgun, a Springfield Armory.40 caliber handgun, a sword, four canisters of smoke grenades, a KDH bulletproof vest, and a Jaguar knife in Lance Mason’s house. The items have been confiscated and stored for safe-keeping.

Lance Mason is currently being charged with felonious assault and is also accused of battery and assault. Mason could be facing between two and eight years in prison for his offenses. Mason appeared in court on Monday, only to not enter a plea bargain and to receive a $65,000 bond. Mason is also not allowed within 500 feet of his wife and two children.

“The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court is aware of the allegations against Judge Lance Mason. We cannot comment further at this time. Judge Mason’s criminal and civil cases will continue as scheduled. All parties involved should be prepared to move forward as planned,” said Court administrator Gregory Popovich. The claims that the 46-year-old judge is a former state senator with no history of violence and no desire to hurt anyone. Mason’s preliminary hearing is set for August 13th.