Former A.B.I.A. Baggage Handler Pleads Guilty to Stealing Firearms

A 26-year-old baggage handler at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) faces up to twenty years in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing items from checked baggage, including a .40 caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol, announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Austin Police Chief Brian Manley.

Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Mark Lane this afternoon, Ja’Quan Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of theft from an interstate shipment and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. By pleading guilty, Johnson admitted that between November 29, 2016, and February 2, 2017, he stole seven handguns from inside passenger bags at ABIA.

Johnson remains on bond pending sentencing. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Transportation Security Administration and the Austin Police Department’s Aviation Division conducted this investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Gregg N. Sofer is prosecuting this case for the Government.