Florida man Jeffrey O. Kennerk was intercepted on an Amtrak train carrying a shocking arsenal of weapons including booby-trapped firearms, leading to multiple felony charges after law enforcement discovered his abandoned suitcase containing an AK-47 style rifle.
At a Glance
- Jeffrey O. Kennerk, 34, from Fort Lauderdale, was arrested on January 3 after authorities discovered his abandoned zebra-patterned suitcase containing loaded firearms at Newark Penn Station
- The suspect was found carrying multiple weapons including assault rifles, handguns, silencers, and a booby-trapped rifle that discharged without the trigger being pulled
- Police intercepted Kennerk in Trenton after he boarded an Amtrak train bound for Virginia
- He faces multiple charges including aggravated assault, possession of weapons for unlawful purposes, and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines
Abandoned Suitcase Alert Triggers Investigation
On January 3, a New Jersey Transit Police officer at Newark Penn Station discovered an unattended zebra-patterned suitcase that would lead to a major weapons bust. Upon inspection, authorities found the bag contained a loaded handgun with an 18-round magazine.
Further search revealed a hidden compartment holding a pink duffle bag with a loaded AK-47 style rifle and multiple loaded magazines. Station surveillance footage identified the bag’s owner as Jeffrey O. Kennerk, 34, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who had temporarily abandoned his luggage while purchasing an Amtrak ticket to Virginia.
Law enforcement quickly mobilized to locate Kennerk, who had already boarded a train. According to investigators, the suspect had left the suitcase containing dangerous weapons in a public area where anyone could have accessed them.
The discovery immediately raised serious concerns about public safety in one of the Northeast’s busiest transportation hubs. Officials noted that Kennerk appeared to have been transporting his weapons arsenal across state lines via public transportation.
Booby-Trapped Weapon Discharges During Arrest
Officers tracked Kennerk to an Amtrak train in Trenton, where they found him carrying a second suitcase with additional weapons. During the arrest, authorities made a particularly alarming discovery when examining the firearms. As described in official statements, one of the weapons discharged without anyone pulling the trigger, revealing it had been deliberately rigged to fire unexpectedly. This dangerous modification posed a significant risk not only to law enforcement but potentially to other passengers and train staff.
“The officer placed the muzzle into the suitcase pointed at the ground and attempted to remove one of the handkerchiefs to render it safe, at which time the firearm discharged without the officer engaging the trigger, indicating that the gun was allegedly booby-trapped,” said AG’s office.
The total weapons cache discovered between both suitcases included multiple handguns, an AR-15 style rifle, an AK-47 style rifle, four silencers, high-capacity ammunition magazines, and hollow-point ammunition. Law enforcement officials described the collection as a “small arsenal” capable of causing mass casualties. The presence of silencers, which are heavily restricted under federal law, added to the seriousness of Kennerk’s alleged offenses.
Multiple Charges Filed Against Florida Man
Kennerk now faces a substantial list of criminal charges following his indictment. These include possession of weapons for unlawful purposes, unlawful possession of weapons and assault firearms, aggravated assault, and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines and silencers. New Jersey has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, particularly regarding assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, factors that will likely influence the prosecution’s approach.
“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,” said Matthew Platkin.
Deputy Attorney General Karen Bracizewsk is expected to lead the prosecution against Kennerk. Col. Patrick J. Callahan of the New Jersey State Police emphasized the severity of the case, noting that the indictment highlights the serious threat posed by individuals who illegally amass weapons.
The collaborative effort between New Jersey Transit Police, Amtrak Police, and state authorities has been credited with preventing what could have been a dangerous situation with unknowable consequences had Kennerk reached his final destination.
