New York Jets

Jets' Stud Defender, 3rd Overall Draft Pick, Arrested at LaGuardia With Gun: Police

Quinnen Williams, 22, was taken into custody as he was about to board his flight Thursday night

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New York Jets defensive lineman and 2019 third overall draft pick Quinnen Williams has been arrested after he allegedly brought his gun to the airport.

Port Authority police say the 22-year-old was about to board his flight at LaGuardia Airport Thursday night when he was taken into custody on a criminal possession of a weapon charge. The gun was not loaded and Williams was not carrying ammunition, Port Authority officials say.

The Queens district attorney's office said Friday that Williams had been given a desk appearance ticket and is expected in court March 25.

The Alabama native has the state's legal permit for the Glock 19 pistol, according to police, but New York state only allows concealed carry with a New York Pistol License.

And while it's not necessarily illegal to travel with a firearm, there are strict TSA rules that have to be followed.

People are only allowed to carry unloaded guns (packed in a hard case, locked and kept separate from ammunition) in their checked baggage, according to the TSA. They're not permitted in carry-on baggage.

The gun was in Williams' carry-on bag and was not loaded, police said, according to the Associated Press.

The Jets released a brief statement on Williams' arrest: “We have been in contact with Quinnen Williams and are fully aware of the situation. We will have no additional comment as this is a pending legal matter.”

His attorney, Alex Spiro, told News 4 that his client respects and follows the law.

"There was allegedly a technical issue with the manner in which the lawfully owned firearm was stored -- and we expect the matter to be resolved shortly," Spiro said in the statement.

Williams was selected third overall by the Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft. He played in 13 games as a rookie, including nine starts, and had 31 tackles with 2 1/2 sacks and a fumble recovery for the Jets.

While in college, Williams was named a unanimous first-team All American and first-team All-SEC in his last year of college ball at Alabama. He also won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman that year, in 2018.

Copyright NBC New York/Associated Press
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