TSA agents seize gun from actor Mike Epps in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Federal agents seized a loaded gun in the hand luggage of actor and comedian Mike Epps as he tried to board a flight at Indianapolis International Airport, airport police said.

Airport police said Transportation Security Administration officers found a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber pistol in Epps’ bag on Sunday morning. Epps, 52, told agents at a TSA checkpoint that he forgot he had a weapon in his bag.

The agents confiscated the weapon but did not arrest Epps. Airport officials did not say where Epps was going or whether he was traveling alone. TSA forwarded the matter to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to consider whether charges were necessary.

Spokesman Michael Leffler said Wednesday that the prosecutor’s office is reviewing the case.

“These cases rarely result in criminal charges,” Leffler said.

“I think it’s important to note that the burden of proof required by statute and case law requires you to prove whether a person knowingly or intentionally brought a firearm,” he said. “In general, the most common situation is that firearms located by TSA or airport police are unintentionally left in a bag.”

The Associated Press sent an email Wednesday seeking comment to an EPS representative.

Epps, a native of Indianapolis, has starred in films including “The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2,” “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next.” He appears in the upcoming Marvel film “Madame Web” starring Dakota Johnson, and the Apple TV+ series “Lady in the Lake” starring Natalie Portman.

Last year, the Transportation Security Administration confiscated a record 6,542 guns at airports across the country. Most people who are stopped for carrying a gun at an airport checkpoint say they forgot they had a weapon.