A Greenwich woman was arrested after attempting to bring a loaded gun through a TSA checkpoint at JFK International Airport, TSA officials say.
The discovery was made by TSA officials on Feb 10.
TSA agents say they caught the gun at a security checkpoint while using an X-ray unit to scan the woman's carryon bag. Officials say the X-ray unit alerted agents, who then removed the gun and alerted the Port Authority Police. The loaded .22 pistol was confiscated by authorities.
The woman, who was also with a minor, was arrested on weapons charges.
Andrea Valdovinos, who was with a minor, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and loaded firearm.
TSA agents say she faces a stiff financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons recently increased to a maximum of $15,000.
TSA agents say this is the first gun discovered at the airport so far this year.
Last year, TSA officers prevented seven loaded firearms from getting through checkpoints at JFK Airport.
Overall, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide in 2022.
TSA agents say 88% of the guns discovered at airports were loaded.