NEWARK, N.J. (WCBS 880) — A convicted felon appeared in federal court Wednesday to face weapons charges after allegedly trying to bring a stolen, armed handgun through security at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Desmond Herring, 48, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, has been charged with one count of carrying a weapon on an aircraft and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon in connection with the Nov. 29 incident.
According to Transportation Security Administration officials, Herring was the man stopped at Newark Airport last week after an agent spotted a weapon on an X-ray monitor.
Herring allegedly saw that his bag was flagged by TSA agents and attempted to flee the scene and head to his gate without acknowledging that the bag belonged to him.
However, officers in the airport maintained a close visual on Herring as he allegedly attempted to flee the security checkpoint and he was apprehended at the gate before he could board the flight to Atlanta.
TSA officials on Wednesday revealed the bag contained a 9-millimeter pistol, 10 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition loaded into a magazine, and three boxes of ammunition that each contained 50 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition.
Herring is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2010 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, TSA officials said.
Herring appeared in federal court in Newark via videoconference and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond, with home confinement and GPS monitoring.
Both charges against Herring carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
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