Northwest flight attendant grounded after grenade found in luggage

Last update: January 26, 2006 - 6:50 AM

MILWAUKEE A Northwest Airlines flight attendant has been grounded and could face charges after security personnel reported finding a real but inactive hand grenade in her carry-on luggage at Milwaukee's airport.

The 39-year-old Cordova, Tenn., woman, whose name was not released, is expected to appear today in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Officials say she could be charged with disorderly conduct and also could face a federal fine of up to $1,500 dollars.

Sheriff's department spokeswoman Kim Brooks says the attendant had been scheduled to work on a Milwaukee-to-Detroit flight Tuesday morning when federal Transportation Security Administration officers detected the inert grenade in her baggage.

She says the attendant told deputies she purchased the grenade at an Army surplus store as a present to bring home for her son.

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