TSA officer arrested, accused of having gun past checkpoint at Atlanta airport

Caroline Silva, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan 24, 2025

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ATLANTA — A Transportation Security Administration officer was arrested Tuesday at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, police said.

The officer is accused of having a firearm beyond the main security checkpoint. Atlanta police, the investigating agency, did not say if the officer, identified as Matthew Gilbert, was on duty at the time of his arrest.

Gilbert, 58, was booked into the Clayton County Jail on a charge of reckless conduct, authorities said. He was released from the jail on Tara Boulevard on Thursday.

Mark Howell, a spokesman for TSA, said Gilbert was “removed from screening status” and placed on leave until further action can be taken based on how his case is resolved.

“TSA has zero tolerance for misconduct on or off duty,” Howell said, adding that “passenger and employee safety is top priority for TSA, and we are working closely with our Atlanta airport police partners on this incident.”

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