A Florida man’s arsenal aboard Amtrak trains had triggered a significant indictment that challenges Second Amendment rights while exposing serious security gaps in America’s rail system. Jeffrey Owen Kennerk, 34, faces multiple felony charges after being caught with a cache of firearms, including a booby-trapped rifle that discharged without anyone pulling the trigger, highlighting how Biden-era transportation protocols continue to miss dangerous individuals while hassling law-abiding Americans.
Florida Gun Owner Faces Harsh Prosecution After Amtrak Incident
New Jersey authorities have indicted Fort Lauderdale resident Jeffrey Owen Kennerk on multiple charges, including aggravated assault, endangering others, and weapons offenses. The 34-year-old was apprehended after allegedly bringing multiple firearms onto Amtrak trains traveling through Newark and toward Virginia.
FACING CHARGES: Jeffrey Kennerck allegedly left a white zebra-print suitcase containing firearms at Newark-Penn Station and carried additional weapons, including a booby-trapped rifle, onto a train.
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— News12NJ (@News12NJ) April 17, 2025
The situation began when an NJ Transit Police officer discovered an unattended zebra-pattern suitcase at Newark Penn Station containing loaded weapons and ammunition. Surveillance footage helped authorities identify Kennerk, who had allegedly left the suspicious luggage behind before boarding another train, where he was eventually detained.
Extensive Arsenal Discovered Across Multiple Locations
Law enforcement found a substantial collection of firearms in Kennerk’s possession, raising concerns about the effectiveness of transportation security measures. The abandoned suitcase contained a Glock handgun, AR-style magazine, Zastava Arms AK-47 style rifle, and various ammunition types that could have fallen into the wrong hands in one of America’s busiest transit hubs.
NEW JERSEY: Jeffrey Kennerk (34) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, faces weapons charges in NJ after allegedly bringing a stash of guns — including a “booby-trapped rifle” — on an Amtrak train earlier this year. pic.twitter.com/WJI6KFqRE8
— KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) April 16, 2025
When police located and arrested Kennerk in Trenton, they discovered additional weapons, including what authorities described as a “booby-trapped” rifle. During the police search, this weapon reportedly discharged without trigger engagement, demonstrating its potential danger in a public transportation setting.
Serious Legal Consequences Await Florida Man
The indictment carries substantial penalties that could land Kennerk behind bars for up to a decade if convicted on all counts. Second-degree charges carry potential sentences of five to ten years in prison, with fines of up to $150,000. Fourth-degree charges could result in an additional 18 months of incarceration and fines of up to $10,000.
“This defendant allegedly hauled a small arsenal of deadly weapons and ammunition through busy transit stations, and on a train filled with passengers. He allegedly left a suitcase containing assorted weapons and ammunition – including an assault rifle – in the concourse of Newark Penn Station, where anyone could have been harmed by them. If not for the outstanding police work done in this matter, we can only imagine where this defendant and these weapons would have ended up.” – Attorney General Platkin.
Authorities have not disclosed Kennerk’s intentions with the weapons, creating speculation about his motives. The suspect claimed he had simply boarded the wrong train while in possession of his firearms, as he reportedly had a valid Amtrak ticket for a different train altogether.
The case highlights ongoing debates about transportation security and gun rights, with law enforcement officials praising the coordinated response that potentially prevented public harm. Deputy Attorney General Karen Bracizewski is expected to lead the prosecution against Kennerk as the case advances through New Jersey’s legal system.
Sources:
https://www.fox29.com/news/man-indicted-after-bringing-booby-trapped-rifle-amtrak