A 27-year-old former baggage handler at the Portland International Airport was sentenced recently to six months incarceration in a federal prison for stealing guns and ammunition from airline luggage during a four-week period in 2018.
Two owners of the stolen guns were a firearms’ dealer and an out-of-state police officer. The gun owners reported their bags (with the firearms and ammunition) missing once they reached their destinations and realized the luggage wasn’t there.
“This is how guns get on the street,’’ Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Horsley said. “This is how guns get diverted from lawful owners and end up in the hands of felons.’’
Despite the prosecutor’s request for a sentence of one year and nine months, the federal judge deemed that punishment too harsh after the former baggage handler described being sorry and not being in the “right mindset” when he committed the crimes.
The thief said he stole due to financial hardship. He worked as a contract baggage handler for seven months before being fired after his arrest for the crimes.
The man knew where the firearms were located in the luggage due to red tags fastened on them for special handling. He devised an elaborate scheme to steal the firearms.