Former NBA player and East St. Louis native Darius Miles was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport for allegedly trying to bring a loaded firearm through security, authorities said. Â Read more after the jump.
@Shay_Marie & @gametimegirl
Miles, 29, was arrested about 3:30 p.m. after Transportation Security Administration personnel discovered the weapon during an X-ray screening at the airport, according to information from a TSA spokeswoman and a jail official. Miles was arrested by St. Louis Airport police, then booked into the St. Louis County jail in Clayton later Wednesday evening.
It was unclear whether the loaded gun was found inside luggage or whether Miles had been carrying the weapon. The weapon was discovered at the Concourse A checkpoint. Authorities did not say what type of gun was seized.
Miles was booked about 8:30 p.m. on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon, authorities said. He was to be booked and released pending application of a warrant on a formal criminal charge. He was not required to post bond.
The St. Louis County prosecutor’s office will review the case and decide whether charges will be filed.
Miles now lives in Swansea, according to information he provided to police and jail officials.
Miles last played in the NBA in 2009 with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to basketball-reference.com and the Associated Press. He was invited to the Charlotte Bobcats camp in 2010 but did not make the team.
Miles was arrested in 2009 in Fairview Heights for possession of a small amount of marijuana and driving on a suspended license. The resolution of that case was unclear Wednesday evening. He had to sit out 10 games in 2008-09 for violating the NBA’s substance abuse policy while he was with the Grizzlies.
Miles was picked straight out of East St. Louis High School at No. 3 overall in the 2000 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. He also played with Cleveland and Portland. He averaged 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for his career.
Airline passengers cannot bring firearms to security checkpoints, according to TSA. All firearms, ammunition and firearm parts can only be transported in checked baggage and must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided container and declared during check-in. Violators can face criminal prosecution and civil penalties up to $7,500.
