WASHINGTON, D.C. — Victoria Spartz, the Republican U.S. Representative from Indiana's fifth district currently running for reelection, has been charged after reportedly bringing a gun into a DC airport.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed to FOX59/CBS4 on Monday afternoon that Spartz was charged last Friday, June 28, with a weapons violation at Dulles International Airport.
According to TSA, officers found a .380 caliber firearm in Spartz' carry-on bag during screening. The gun was unloaded, officials said. The airport then took possession of the gun and Spartz was charged.
MWAA said Spartz was charged under 18.2-287.01 of the Virginia gun laws code, which states it is illegal to carry any gun or weapon inside any airport terminal. The charge is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
"Last Friday, Rep. Spartz accidentally carried an empty handgun in her suitcase with no magazine or bullets, which she did not realize was in the pocket of her suitcase, while going through security at Dulles airport," Spartz's team said. "Rep. Spartz was issued a citation and proceeded on her international flight to the OSCE PA meeting in Europe."
Spartz, a 45-year-old Noblesville resident, has served two terms in Congress. She recently won a nomination for a third term after beating out nine other GOP candidates in May.
The first and only Ukrainian-born House member, Spartz initially planned to leave Congress last year, opting against reelection to her House seat and forgoing a chance to seek the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Mike Braun.
She later changed her mind and announced a reelection campaign. Voting for the fifth district seat will take place in November, with Spartz going up against Democratic candidate Deborah Pickett.