Xuemei Zhao, 54, a Chinese national residing in the United States illegally, was sentenced to time served after attempting to check a suitcase with an undeclared .357 Magnum revolver and ammunition at the Provo Airport in Utah.
According to the DOJ USAO, Zhao’s crime was a brazen attempt to transport a loaded firearm through airport security without declaring it.
The incident highlights the ongoing threat of firearm smuggling and the porous nature of America’s airport security checkpoints.
Provo Airport, a relatively small regional airport, has seen its share of security breaches in the past.
The specifics of Zhao’s sentence were not immediately available, but sources close to the case indicate that she received approximately one year of imprisonment, having served her time in custody while awaiting trial.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by individuals attempting to smuggle firearms through airport security.
The DOJ USAO has announced plans to increase the frequency of security checks and surveillance at Provo Airport in the wake of this incident.
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