Shemane Deziel Brought Gun To Airport Because Of Death Threats

Ted Nugent’s wife Shemane Deziel was arrested this week for bringing a gun to the airport, but said she did it because of death threats she had been receiving.

Deziel was arrested at Dallas-Fort Worth International Thursday morning. The 51-year-old left the gun, which was loaded, in her carry-on bag. TSA screeners spotted the Smith & Wesson.38 special revolver on an X-ray monitor. When police searched Deziel’s luggage, they noticed that it was loaded with five rounds of ammunition. There were 10 extra rounds of ammunition in a side pocket.

Deziel said she forgot the gun was in her bag, and said she had concealed handgun license in Texas. She was placed under arrest and told police that she was carrying the gun because she had received death threats. Deziel didn’t explain where the threats were coming from or why she was receiving them. The gun and ammunition were seized as evidence.

Guns are allowed in checked luggage, but not in carry-on luggage. Security workers at D/FW have found 57 guns in carry-on bags so far this year. The airport ranks second behind Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International for guns found in carry-on luggage, according to a TSA spokesman. Nationwide, more than 1,000 guns have been found at airports this year.

Deziel’s attorney David Finn told the Dallas Morning News that the incident was an “honest mistake” and that Deziel forgot the gun was in her bag.

“She is very embarrassed. She’s never been in this situation before,” Finn said. “She has expressed remorse for any inconvenience for any public safety officials.”

Deziel has no criminal record, and Finn does not expect a grand jury to indict his client.

Shemane Deziel is Ted Nugent‘s second wife. The couple married in 1989 after meeting at Detroit’s WLLZ-FM, where Deziel was on the news staff. They have one son together, Rocco.