TSA employee, Renee Riley defaced Smith & Wesson 40-caliber gun
TSA agent arrested for attempting to smuggle an illegal firearm through the JFK Airport checkpoint
A uniformed Transportation Security Administration employee at JFK Airport was arrested Tuesday for attempting to smuggle a loaded handgun through a security checkpoint.
Renee Riley turned herself in to Port Authority police officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday morning.
Riley, 26, was starting her shift at Terminal 4 at 11:55 a.m. Thursday when a screener operating the X-ray baggage scanner discovered a defaced Smith & Wesson.40-caliber pistol in her purse, along with a “clip that is larger than it normally appears,” according to court documents.
The tan bag was immediately placed on a carry-on luggage conveyor belt in a "high threat box area," but Riley dashed behind the checkpoint counter, grabbed her purse, and fled before police could be alerted, authorities said.
A handful of TSA agents attempted to apprehend her, but she sped past them as she exited the terminal, cops said. She was caught on airport surveillance cameras moments later abandoning the weapon near the terminal's departures ramp.
Port Authority police discovered the gun, along with a full clip containing 14 rounds of ammunition, prosecutors said.
Riley was charged with possession of a defaced firearm, criminal use of a firearm, firearm disposal, obstructing government administration, and tampering with physical evidence by the PAPD.
A judge in Queens Criminal Court ordered that she be held on $10,000 cash bail. Mitchell Elman, her attorney, had no immediate comment.
It is unclear whether Riley is a screener or previously held another position with the federal agency.
The TSA did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.