A Bergen County man is facing 15 years in prison after he was accused of trying to board a plane with weapons.
United States Attorney Philip Sellinger says that Transportation Security Administration agents found two .40-caliber Glock magazines - each containing 15 rounds - and a ballistic vest carrier that displayed the words “Deputy Marshal” in a piece of checked luggage belonging to 42-year-old Seretse Clouden, of Wallington.
Sellinger says that an additional search of Clouden’s bags also led to the discovery of an expandable baton, a spring-loaded knife, a Taser, a .40-caliber Glock 22 handgun, a .308-caliber DPMS Panther Arms rifle and a 5.56-caliber AR-15 rifle. Officials also say that they found U.S. Marshal credentials with Clouden’s name and photos and a U.S. Mashal badge. But the United State’s Marshal Service says that Clouden is not and was not ever employed by the department.
Clouden was charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon and fraudulent possession of an identification document and authentication feature of the United States.
A U.S. magistrate signed an order Monday placing Clouden in federal custody and said Clouden and prosecutors want more time to negotiate a plea agreement.
Clouden was convicted in 2016 in New Jersey of unlawful possession of a weapon, according to FBI agent Christopher Granato.
Last year, the Transportation Security Administration seized a record 6,542 guns at airports around the country. Most people who are stopped for having a gun at an airport checkpoint say they forgot they had the weapon with them.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.