A former marine and convicted felon has been charged after he attempted to board a plane in New Jersey in December with guns, a taser and a counterfeit U.S. Marshals badge, according to authorities.
Seretse Clouden was charged with unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition. Additionally, he was charged with fraudulent possession of an identification document in the Dec. 30 incident, News Break reports.
Convicted Felon Tried To Board Flight With Rifles, Guns, Taser And Fake U.S. Marshals Badge
The New Jersey-native was taken into custody at Newark Liberty International Airport when he tried to board a flight while carrying an AR-15 rifle, handguns, a Taser, and the aforementioned fake U.S. Marshal’s badge.
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Clouden is a previously convicted felon, according to the outlet.
The federal complaint states TSA agents discovered two .40 caliber Glock magazines along with ammunition during a routine luggage check of Clouden’s bags, which were destined for Fort Lauderdale.
Ex-Marine arrested trying to board flight from Newark to Fort Lauderdale with AR-15, handguns, Taser, a fake US Marshalls, spring-loaded knife, expandable baton and a .308 caliber rifle. Seretse Clouden, a felon, tried to board flight at Newark Liberty Int'l Airport on Dec. 30.😬 pic.twitter.com/pG97Urh9Yk
— Sumner (@renmusb1) February 28, 2023
Agents also located a ballistic vest carrier with the words “Deputy Marshal,” prompting the TSA officials to notify the U.S. Marshals.
Law enforcement then uncovered several weapons, including an AR-15 rifle, a .40 caliber handgun, a Taser, a spring-loaded knife, and an expandable baton after Clouden’s luggage was taken off the plane.
U.S. Marshals Say Clouden Was Never A Member Of Their Agency, Now Faces Lengthy Prison Sentences
They also found a .308 caliber rifle, “United States Marshal” identification papers showing Clouden’s name and photograph, and a badge.
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However, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed to the outlet that Clouden is not and has never been a member of their agency.
A 2016 guilty plea for unlawful possession of a weapon precludes him from ever possessing firearms and/or ammunition.
Clouden now faces and a maximum sentence of 10 years as well as a fine of up to $250,000 for the gun charges.
A man who federal agents say tried to board a plane in New Jersey with three guns, including a semi-automatic rifle, & a fake law-enforcement ID is in federal custody facing 2 charges.Seretse Clouden is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon & having a fraudulent ID. pic.twitter.com/ExZmFIX5ci
— Charlene Moskowitz (@tilLuvWersOut) March 1, 2023
He could also be looking at a maximum sentence of 15 years for the fraudulent possession of an identification document, according to News Break.
TSA Has Seized Over 800 Guns At Airports Since Jan. 1, Set A Record In 2022 By Intercepting 6,500 Firearms
Meanwhile, TSA spokesperson R. Carter Langston said that while there is a legally permissible way to carry guns in checked luggage, that would have involved declaring it with the airline, packing it properly in a hard-sided and locked case, and having a valid permit for the firearm in one’s jurisdiction.
Since Jan. 1, the TSA have seized over 800 firearms at airport checkpoints across the country.
The agency set a record last year by intercepting over 6,500 firearms at 262 airport checkpoints in the U.S., with 88 percent of them being loaded, the outlet reports.
