AUSTIN, Texas — Federal authorities say an airport baggage handler is accused of stealing firearms from passenger’s bags at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport and trading them for marijuana.
Ja’Quan Johnson, 25, surrendered to FBI agents Wednesday on charges that include possession of stolen firearms.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement that Johnson stole several handguns from bags from late November to early February, when he was a baggage handler at ABIA.
Johnson was an employee of a contractor company at the airport that gave him access to the bags, according to the Austin Police Department.
Investigators have recovered seven weapons.
Police said five of the recovered guns were stolen from baggage at ABIA, and that two weapons were from other cases.
Two other men were arrested last month on felony marijuana charges in the investigation.
Johnson was released following an initial court appearance Wednesday.
Police said Johnson confessed to the thefts during their questioning of him.