John Fanning's Wife Arrested on Gun Charge

Lesley Lynn Fanning of Dacula, the estranged wife of , was arrested and charged while attempting to bring a concealed weapon into the Gwinnett Justice Administration Center in Lawrenceville Wednesday, Sept. 12, according to an incident report filed 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 entrance to the courthouse by Gwnnett Sheriff's Deputy Jimmy Melancon. The gun and 10 rounds of ammunition were confiscated after other deputies arrived on the scene. Mrs. 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. Lasseter pleaded guilty Sept. 5 in federal district court in Atlanta and was sentenced to 33 months in prison for accepting bribes to vote in favor of a proposed real estate development in her commission district. The bribes, totaling $36,500, came from a FBI agent posing as a Florida developer.

Sentencing was delayed until Sept. 18 for John Fanning who pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and drug trafficking.

Mrs. Fanning was returning to the Gwinnett County courthouse after lunch following an emergency custody hearing for their three children Wednesday morning, according to other sources. She and John Fanning, who are in the process of obtaining a divorce, had been scheduled to meet separately with a guardian ad litem appointed by the judge that afternoon. Mrs. Fanning reportedly had borrowed the gun for her protection from a friend, had intended to return it, but forgot it was in her bag.

During a search of Mrs. 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, Mrs. Fanning and other family members on both sides had reportedly been at the custody hearing Wednesday morning. Lasseter remains out of bond until she turns herself in at a minimum security federal prison in a few weeks. John Fanning is out on bond while awaiting his sentencing.

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

See also:

Lasseter Sentenced to 33 Months