Traveler Gets Caught with Assault Rifle at Newark Liberty International Airport

42-year-old Seretse Clouden of Bergen County, New Jersey, went through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport before boarding a domestic flight when several guns and other illegal items were discovered. The incident occurred on 28^th of February. Consequently, The United States Department of Justice announced federal charges against him.

During the security screening process before his scheduled flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Clouden was discovered to be carrying two .40 caliber Glock magazines and a ballistic vest labeled with the words ‘Deputy Marshal’ by TSA agents.

As Clouden went through security before his scheduled flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, TSA agents found two .40 caliber Glock magazines and a ballistic vest with the words “Deputy Marshal” on it.

Upon further investigation of Clouden’s checked luggage, law enforcement officials discovered a .40 caliber Glock 22 handgun, a .308 caliber DPMS Panther Arms rifle, and a 5.56 caliber AR-15 rifle. Additionally, TSA agents found an expandable baton, a spring-loaded knife, and a taser in his possession.

“It’s absolutely not acceptable for firearms to be anywhere near checkpoints,” TSA spokesperson R. Carter Langston told CBS News. “There is a legally permissible way to bring firearms in checked baggage, but you have to be legally able to carry a firearm in your jurisdiction, declare it with the airline and pack it properly in a hard-sided and locked case.”

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Clouden was also found to be in possession of forged identification documents, which included U.S. Marshal credentials and a U.S. Marshal badge.

As per the Justice Department, Clouden has been charged with one count of fraudulent possession of an identification document and authentication feature of the U.S. and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.