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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation

In Reply, Please Refer to Release No.

219 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604

January 8, 2002 Man Charged in Midway Weapons Incident Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today the arrest of STEVEN PAUL JOHNSON, age 20, whose last known address is unknown.  JOHNSON was taken into Federal custody, earlier today, after being detained by Chicago Police Officers at Midway Airport last night. JOHNSON will be charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, later today, with one count of attempting to board an aircraft with a weapon or explosive device, which is a felony offense.  According to the complaint, JOHNSON attempted to pass through airport security with several prohibited items, including two road flares, four pocket knives and a box cutter.  These items were noticed by security screeners, who notified the Chicago Police Department.  JOHNSON was then detained for further investigation.  JOHNSON had a one-way ticket for American Trans Air (ATA) flight number 710, which was a non-stop flight to Orlando, Florida that was scheduled to depart Midway at 8:30 PM. JOHNSON is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward Bobrick at 1:30 PM, at which time he will be formally charged.  If convicted, JOHNSON faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. In making this announcement, SAC Kneir wants to commend the security personnel at ATA for their alertness in discovering these items and the Chicago Police Department for their quick response and professionalism in handling this situation. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal care are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. EDITORS' NOTE:  A copy of the criminal complaint filed in this case is available from the FBI Press Office at (312) 786-2645.

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