Man arrested with weapons near airport now faces federal charges

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A man arrested on Jan. 9 who allegedly had multiple loaded guns near the John Glenn Columbus International Airport has now been charged with a federal firearms crime as well.

William T. Griffith III, 40, of Delaware, Ohio, is charged by federal criminal complaint with illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.

According to charging documents, on Jan. 9, local law enforcement responded to a 911 call at approximately 4am regarding Griffith trespassing in a construction area at the airport. Law enforcement officers located four firearms, including an AK-style rifle, shortened shotgun and two handguns, as well as several rounds of ammunition.

At the time of Griffith's arrest, he was dressed in military-style fatigue trousers. Body armor with ceramic plates and a ballistic helmet with night vision were also located nearby.

In 2011, Griffith was convicted of kidnapping. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Griffith appeared in federal court in Columbus today and his case was unsealed at that time.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, and members of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Damoun Delaviz is representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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