A New Jersey felon’s attempted flight with an AR-15 rifle, a Taser and a fake US Marshals badge late last year was repelled Monday, according to a federal complaint.
Serets Clouden has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon and fraudulent possession of a US Identification Document and Authentication Facility following the December 30 incident at Newark Liberty International Airport.
“During a routine check of checked baggage destined for Fort Lauderdale, Transportation Security Administration agents discovered two .40 caliber Glock magazines, each containing fifteen rounds of .40 caliber ammunition,” five Read the page’s complaint. “Further search of that baggage revealed a ballistic vest carrier marked ‘Deputy Marshal’.”
The document states that the US Marshals Service has confirmed that Clouden has never been employed by the agency.
Following this search, agents responded to the gate where Klauden’s flight was to depart. Clouden told officers that he did not have law enforcement credentials or firearms ID cards from any state.
His luggage was taken off the plane, and upon further inspection, officers found an AR-15 rifle, a .40 caliber handgun, a Taser, a spring-loaded knife, an expandable baton, a .308 caliber rifle, and “United States Marshal”. “Certificate with his name and picture along with a badge.
His attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.
Clouden pleaded guilty in 2016 to illegal possession of a weapon.
The felony charge of possessing a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000, while fraudulently possessing an identification document carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, a fine, or both.
So far in 2023, more than 800 firearms have been seized at airport checkpoints.
“Having firearms anywhere near checkpoints is absolutely not acceptable,” said TSA spokesman R. Carter Langston. “There is a legally permitted way to bring firearms in checked baggage, but you must be able to legally carry a firearm into your jurisdiction, declare it with the airline and carry it in a hard-sided and locked case.” Pack properly.
Last year, the TSA set a record by stopping more than 6,500 firearms at airport checkpoints across the country. Weapons were found in 262 airports and 88% were loaded.
Donna Mendel Contribution,
