Brass Knuckles and Derringer Found at LAX Airport
News & Happenings
March 12, 2008
A male passenger was arrested Tuesday, after Los Angeles International Airport Transportation Security Officer Carla Chavez correctly identified an illegal item in during the x-ray screening process.
At 11:39 a.m. in Terminal 6, lane 3, Chavez detected an image of brass knuckles while on the X-ray and immediately called STSO Emmy Lou Martinez. The deadly item was found in the belt buckle of the passenger, thus making it a dual-use item. TSO Carla Chavez correctly identified brass knuckles which fit into a belt buckle thus making it a dual use item.
"This is just another example of the commitment our men and women have to the traveling public," said Larry Fetters, LAX FSD. "Be it brass knuckles, liquids or other prohibited items our employees are working hard to keep dangerous items off of aircraft."
Continental passenger Robert Michael Meschino was charged and handcuffed at the security checkpoint by Los Angeles World Airports Police.
At the same time in the same terminal TSO Danae Jackson identified an outline of a derringer firearm in the lane 5 x-ray. Airport Police responded and after searching Continental passenger Lev S. Friedman's bag discovered that the derringer was a torch lighter. Passenger Friedman was charged with and escorted off the checkpoint by Airport Police.
