Man Indicted in Reno For Trying to Take Knives on Plane
RENO, Nev. (AP) -- A California man accused of trying to smuggle three pocket knives onto a commercial airliner in his carry-on baggage has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Andrew Van Miller II, of Brea, Calif., was charged with one count of carrying a weapon on an aircraft in the indictment handed up Wednesday in Reno.
Authorities allege Miller, 41, tried to thwart airport security on June 5 by hiding the knives in a lead-lined film bag inside his laptop computer.
The knives were confiscated by airport screeners. Miller was cooperative and allowed to board the Horizon Air flight from Reno to Los Angeles, said Natalie Collins, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office.
Collins said there was no indication Miller intended to harm anyone.
The indictment, she said, sends a message that intentional attempts to defeat airport security measures will be prosecuted.
The crime carries a possible penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press