Spartz charged over allegedly carrying a weapon in terminal at Dulles Airport

Rep. Victoria Spartz is facing a misdemeanor charge over allegedly carrying a weapon in a terminal at Dulles International Airport in late June and will face arraignment on Sept. 20.

On June 28, Spartz (R-Ind.) allegedly brought a .380 caliber firearm in her carry-on that was found by TSA personnel. Last month, her office said the handgun was “accidentally” in her bag, she was “issued a citation” and then allowed to board her international flight.

The Indiana Republican could face up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. She’ll be arraigned at the Loudoun General District Court in Virginia.

Spartz was first elected to the House in 2020 and won the GOP nomination for reelection in May, fending off a primary challenger. Last February, she announced that she’d retire at the end of her current term, but later reversed course. She has been in the spotlight amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the first-ever Ukrainian-born member of Congress.

Kyle Cheney contributed to this report.