A former baggage handler at Portland International Airport has pleaded guilty to stealing six firearms from passengers’ checked luggage.
Deshawn Antonio Kelly, 27, of Portland, entered his guilty plea today to five counts of possessing a stolen firearm. The charges stem from an investigation that began in August 2018.
According to court documents, Kelly stole three 9mm pistols, two .40 caliber pistols, and one .45 caliber pistol from five different checked bags between August 19 and September 17, 2018. The guns were checked by passengers traveling to and from Oregon.
Kelly was employed as a contract baggage handler at Portland International Airport during the time period in question. He was arrested on September 25, 2018, at the airport and search warrants were conducted on his person, vehicle, and residence.
During the investigation, Kelly admitted to stealing the firearms and told investigators where they were located. He will be sentenced on July 29, 2019, before U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon.
The charge of possessing a stolen firearm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Port of Portland Police, and is being prosecuted by Hannah Horsley, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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