Florida Man Allegedly Brought Arsenal, Including Booby-Trapped Rifle, on New Jersey Amtrak Train

TRENTON, N.J. — A Florida man was indicted on multiple weapons charges and related offenses after allegedly transporting a cache of firearms, including a booby-trapped semi-automatic rifle, on an Amtrak train, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Wednesday.

Jeffrey O. Kennerk, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, faces charges including possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of assault firearms, aggravated assault, and endangering others.

The indictment, issued by the Division of Criminal Justice, also includes charges for possessing large-capacity ammunition magazines, silencers, hollow-point ammunition, and a booby-trapped rifle that discharged during his arrest at the Trenton Transit Center on January 3, 2025.

Authorities allege Kennerk left an unattended zebra-print suitcase at Newark Penn Station, which contained a loaded Girsan Regard MC handgun, an AK-47-style rifle, and various ammunition, including .223 caliber rounds. NJ Transit Police discovered the suitcase near a McDonald’s, prompting a K9 unit sweep to rule out explosives.

Surveillance footage allegedly showed Kennerk abandoning the suitcase before boarding an Amtrak train bound for Virginia.

Police apprehended Kennerk at the Trenton Transit Center after he reportedly boarded the wrong train. A search of his second suitcase revealed an AR-15-style rifle, additional handguns, extended magazines, silencers, and a rifle loaded with .300 AAC Blackout ammunition.

Authorities say the latter was rigged with handkerchiefs around the trigger guard, causing it to discharge when an officer attempted to disarm it, indicating a booby trap.

“This defendant allegedly hauled a small arsenal of deadly weapons and ammunition through busy transit stations and on a train filled with passengers,” Platkin said. “If not for the outstanding police work, we can only imagine where this defendant and these weapons would have ended up.”

Kennerk faces second-degree charges, each carrying five to 10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000, and fourth-degree charges with up to 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Division of Criminal Justice.