Tribe explains why it impounded a plane after an emergency landing in October on Red Lake Reservation

On January 20, 2011, Orville A. Braham, was indicted in U.S. District Court, Miami, Florida, with four counts of illegally transporting ammunition primers in his luggage on a passenger aircraft.

In December 2010, Mr. Braham boarded an American Airlines with two pieces of luggage that contained hundreds of concealed .45 caliber ammunition. One of the pieces of luggage exploded and injured a baggage handler who was unloading the luggage at Miami International Airport. Further examination of Mr. Braham’s suitcases revealed that the suitcases contained hundreds of .45 caliber ammunition primers, an explosive and a hazardous material, which detonated upon impact and triggered the explosion. Mr. Braham’s also concealed components of a disassembled ammunition reloading press, used to assemble component parts, including ammunition primers, and to create ammunition.

The investigation is being conducted jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm, with assistance provided by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the government, all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.