TSA Stops Man at Oklahoma Airport who Possessed Explosive Device

Aug. 11, 2005
X-ray system identified an improvised explosive device, not terror connection found yet

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Federal agents arrested a Norman man at Will Rogers World Airport after an explosive device was found in one of his bags, the FBI said Thursday.

Charles Alfred Dreyling Jr., 24, was going through a security checkpoint at the airport Wednesday when a Transportation Security Administration employee noticed something suspicious in his bag on the x-ray machine about 9:30 a.m., Special Agent Gary Johnson, an FBI spokesman, said.

Johnson said Dreyling, who was traveling to Philadelphia, had "an improvised explosive device." He declined to describe it further.

Dreyling's carryon bag was removed and an Oklahoma City police officer detained him until the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force came to the airport, Johnson said.

Dreyling was taken into federal custody and could face charges related to possessing an explosive device at an airport, Johnson said.

Dreyling was at the Oklahoma County jail on a federal hold, authorities said. He was to appear before a federal magistrate at 3 p.m., the U.S. Attorney's office said.

No apparent connection between Dreyling and any terrorist group or activity has been found yet, Johnson said.

Airport officials did not immediately return telephone calls for comment.