Former Marine charged with bringing non-lethal grenade and fuses to JWA

Orange County District Attorney  Press Release, For Immediate Release:  Case # 13HF2631: August 29, 2013

FORMER MARINE CHARGED WITH POSSESSING NON-LETHAL GRENADE AND MILITARY FUSES IN JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT

SANTA ANA – A former Marine has been charged with illegally bringing a non-lethal grenade, knife, and other military materials into John Wayne Airport (JWA) by checking them in his bag and carrying them on his person. Gregory Thomas Salyer, 23, Independence, KY, is charged with one felony count of placing a destructive device in a checked baggage, two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, one felony count of receiving stolen property, and one misdemeanor count of carrying a switch-blade knife on his person. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison. Salyer is being held on $500,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned today, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Department CJ-1, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

On Aug. 27, 2013, Salyer is accused of entering JWA for a flight to Denver and checking baggage containing a non-lethal sting ball grenade, two military electric artillery time fuses (used on military artillery rounds), one military fuse assembly, and a butterfly knife. He is also accused of being in possession of over 300 steroid pills and over 10 Adderall pills.

A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent noted several suspicious items during a routine screening of checked baggage inside a large green military duffel bag. TSA Bomb Explosives Special Agents, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and JWA Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene, evacuated the baggage area, and identified the contents of the bag.

Salyer is accused of being identified as the owner of the checked bag and was arrested in the departure area of the airport. A Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer removed the grenade and fuses from the airport for disposal.

Deputy District Attorney Andrew Katz of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.

###

Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney 401 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486