BWI Airport Arrests Require Anne Arundel Criminal Lawyer

Recently Arrested at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport? You’re Not Alone, But You’ll Need the Help of an Anne Arundel County Criminal Lawyer!

Arrests happen probably more often than you think at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. As one of the largest and busiest airports in the nation, it’s likely no surprise that thousands of passengers and bags are examined each day.

The Transportation Safety Administration employees find a variety of interesting items in luggage and carry-on bags, some of which land passengers in jail. Nationwide, the TSA reports that eight or nine guns are confiscated on a daily basis. If you’ve been arrested at BWI, you’ll need the help of an experienced Anne Arundel County criminal lawyer on your side.

Reasons For Arrests

Passengers are often unaware of what they are permitted and not permitted to bring onto the airplanes or into the airport. Common weapons like guns and knives can land you in jail if you attempt to bring them onto the plane incorrectly, as can other types of objects that are meant to cause harm.

For instance, many different types of home-made weapons have been confiscated by TSA officers at BWI. Some of the more original weapons include a lipstick case that holds a dagger instead of makeup and a fake credit card that hides a blade.

Other unusual findings have been a cannonball, a lighter shaped like a hand grenade, a cattle prod, throwing stars and brass knuckles that feature sharp spikes.

Such findings placed their owners in jail, or with heavy fines and probation.

Recent Arrests

• On Monday, April 7, 2014, TSA stopped a passenger who presented a fake identification card. After investigating, officials found that the person had an outstanding warrant, and was arrested as a result.
• On Sunday, April 6, 2014, TSA officials stopped a man after an x-ray machine detected a handgun in his luggage. The weapon had seven rounds in the clip and one in the chamber. The TSA called the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, who confiscated the gun and arrested the man on a state weapons charge. The man was heading to Salt Lake City.
• On December 6, 2013, police arrested a 35-year-old Pennsylvania man for attempting to bring a semi-automatic handgun onboard a plan in his carry-on bag. The weapon was found when the bag was scanned through the x-ray machine. The suspect said he wasn’t aware the weapon was in his bag, and faces two misdemeanor charges.

Before You Head to the Airport

Airport officials state that passengers are permitted to bring guns aboard, however, you must abide by the guidelines.

• Passengers must declare the firearm to the airlines
• Passengers must pack the firearm unloaded in a locked, hard-side case, separate from ammunition
• Passengers must place the firearm in luggage that is intended to be checked

If you have questions about what you can and cannot bring onto the plane, visit the TSA website or app. You will find all of the information you need there. Doing so before you go to the airport could prevent you from getting in trouble with the law.

Other Arrests

Another type of arrest that is often made at BWI Thurgood Marshall is for disorderly conduct. Traveling is stressful, as planes are delayed or cancelled frequently, and people are anxious about flying. All of these emotions can lead to a person losing control and acting inappropriately.

Adding alcohol to the mix often makes the situation much worse. Airport bars are a frequent hangout before getting on the plane. If you drink too much and become intoxicated, you may not be able to board the plane, or it may exacerbate your stress and cause you to act aggressively.

After Your Arrest

No matter what you are facing charges for, you’ll need an experienced Anne Arundel County criminal lawyer on your side. The attorneys of Jimeno and Gray want to help.

Gregory Jimeno and Frank Gray are former Anne Arundel County prosecutors. Because of their experience, they know what evidence the State needs in order to secure convictions in these cases. Now that they are working for the opposite side, they are able to help defendants, just like you.

Give us a call today to speak with an attorney about your case. We may be able to help you have your charges dropped, or come out with a more desirable result.

Give us a call at (410) 590-9401 to schedule a consultation.

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