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TSO Discovers Firearm at Honolulu Checkpoint

News & Happenings

August 10, 2007

TSO Putulan

In the early morning hours of July 19, Transportation Security Officer (TSO) Ariel Putulan of Honolulu International Airport noticed an image on the X-ray machine that appeared to be a handgun in a carry-on bag. After determining it was not a threat image projection, he contacted Lead TSO Dennis Rhoden who supported Putulan's assessment.

Law enforcement was called and a search revealed a cardboard insert at the bottom of the bag, with a sock containing a Titan semi-automatic .25 caliber handgun and a magazine with 10 live rounds.

Questioned by law enforcement, the passenger involved, a 36-year-old man from Waianae, Hawaii, claimed the weapon belonged to his father. He said he had borrowed the bag from his father and did not know the gun was in the bag.

The man was arrested and charged with three state felony firearms/ammunition violations and a misdemeanor violation, possession of ammunition. Police said the handgun was not registered.

"TSO Putulan is one of my top X-ray operators and I'm not surprised that he was able to find the weapon," said Jamie Guting, supervisory TSO.