Columbia Man Charged and Detained After Attempting to Bring Stun Guns, Smoke Grenades, Knives, and Pepper Spray on Plane

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – David Lee Angell, 51, has been charged with knowing and willfully entering into an airport area in violation of security requirements and has been detained following a contested bond hearing in federal court in Columbia. 

A federal complaint was filed against Angell following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Columbia Metropolitan Department of Public Safety, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  The FBI arrested Angell, and he appeared in Court upon his request for a bond. After a contested hearing, United States Magistrate Judge Shiva Hodges ordered Angell detained without bond pending the resolution of the federal charges against him.

During the hearing, an FBI special agent testified that Angell was stopped at TSA screening prior to attempting to board a plane at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. While at TSA screening, his carry-on baggage alerted on prohibited items. A search of his carry-on revealed that he was carrying three smoke grenades, one set of plastic stun knuckles, three stun batons, two knives, and two cans of pepper spray in his carry-on bag. All of these items are prohibited from being in a passenger’s carry-on baggage

As a result of the federal charge, Angell faces a maximum term of imprisonment of one year. The offense listed in the complaint is merely an allegation, and Angell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Columbia Metropolitan Department of Public Safety, and TSA. Assistant United States Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.

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