CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The FAA says an air traffic controller who works at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport has been arrested for having a weapon of mass destruction.
Paul George Dandan, 30, has been charged with one count of possessing a weapon of mass destruction and two weapon offense charges.
Police say the investigation started when officers responded to a 911 call on Minitree Lane in west Mecklenburg County in reference to a subject who was in possession of a homemade explosive device.
Members of the CMPD Bomb Squad also responded to the scene and confirmed that the device was a homemade pipe bomb.
During the investigation, it was determined that Derrick Fells, 39, admitted that he constructed the device in order to use it against a neighbor that he had a dispute with but changed his mind and gave it away instead, according to a news release.
Police say Fells gave the device to Dandan, who was a full-time employee of the FAA working out of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
The FAA released the following statement,
“The FAA employee only had access to the offsite Air Traffic Control Tower and had no access to the restricted areas of the terminal or ramp. He did not have access to any aircraft at the airport.”
The FAA has terminated the employee’s access to the facility and is cooperating with law enforcement authorities, according to a statement.
Detectives obtained warrants for both men on November 10th. Fells has been charged with three counts of manufacturing a weapon of mass destruction and one count of possession of a weapon of mass destruction.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
