Mike Epps, a well-known comedian and actor, has found himself in legal trouble after being caught with a loaded firearm during a routine security screening at the Indianapolis International Airport. The incident has garnered widespread media attention, highlighting concerns about gun safety and the proper protocols for carrying firearms on flights.
Mike Epps, the comedian, may be in legal trouble. During a routine airport security check, officials in his home state reported finding a loaded firearm in one of his bags.
Epps, born in Indianapolis, rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his stand-up comedy specials and appearances in movies like Friday After Next and The Hangover. He has since starred in several movies and TV shows, including the Netflix series The Upshaws and the ABC sitcom Uncle Buck.
TMZ obtained legal documents indicating that police were alerted to a possible weapons violation at the Indianapolis Airport on Sunday. This was after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered the gun in Epps' possession while passing through the checkpoint.
According to the legal documents, Epps stated he was in Indianapolis for a performance. He also mentioned that he had accidentally left the weapon in his bag.
Upon further examination, law enforcement officials discovered a .38 Special Airweight with four loaded rounds but none in the chamber. The firearm and ammunition were subsequently confiscated and retained as evidence.
As per the report, the loaded gun in Epps' possession contained four Hornady .38 Special rounds. However, none were found under the firing pin.
Following the discovery, the Airport Dispatch conducted a weapons check. After that, the police retained the firearm.
However, Epps was not taken into custody. Instead, he received instructions on how to reclaim the weapon.
Epps has not yet commented on the incident at the airport. It is unclear if he has hired an attorney to represent him in this matter.
In 2017, Epps was accused of punching a man outside a casino in New Orleans. He was charged with misdemeanor battery and later pleaded guilty, receiving a sentence of 12 months probation, a $500 fine, and 100 hours of community service.
"When our officers detect a firearm in the x-ray tunnel, the action stops at the checkpoint. We immediately contact local law enforcement, and they take possession of the weapon," said TSA regional spokesperson Jessica Mayle.
The incident's details were forwarded to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. They will assess the situation and decide whether to file charges against Epps.
In addition to the possible criminal charges, Epps may face a significant federal fine. This could range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
"The fine can vary whether it's loaded or unloaded," Mayle said. "And then the other issue is, you know, is this your first offense? Have you done this before? We say, is it artfully concealed? Were you trying to hide it from us? Or was it just in the bottom of your bag? So we take all those factors into account when determining what the fine is going to be."
The discovery of Epps' loaded firearm at the Indianapolis airport marks the 18th incident this year. This surpassed last year's pace, which saw 68 incidents for the entire year.
Across the country, there has been a record-breaking number of over 6,000 guns discovered at airport security checkpoints.
"The takeaway is because we're finding so many, is that we can protect these guns. Again, with the officers' training and the technology of our x-ray tools, we're finding these guns. We're keeping passengers safe. But passengers also need to take responsibility and not bring them to the checkpoint," Mayle added.
It is worth noting that travelers are only allowed to bring unloaded firearms to the airport, and they must be secured in a locked, hard-sided case. The case must be checked and declared to the airline. Additionally, ammunition must be stored separately from the firearm.
Epps had a busy 2022, including landing a role in the upcoming sports comedy film, The Underdogs, alongside Tika Sumpter, George Lopez, and Andrew Schulz. The movie is set to be released later this year.
In May of last year, Epps headlined the 20th anniversary of The Soul Beach Festival in Aruba during Memorial Day weekend. The festival also featured performances by Mary J. Blige and New Edition, with Epps closing out the opening night. Blige and New Edition followed with headline sets on the following evenings.
