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TIA Says Tampa Woman With Brass Knuckles Tried To Board Plane

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By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 4, 2008

TAMPA - When Laverne Deffenbaugh tried to get on her Continental Airlines flight to Tulsa, Okla., this morning, she didn't get far.

Transportation Security Administration screeners noticed something strange in her purse, according to Tampa International Airport police. Two sets of brass knuckles.

Deffenbaugh was arrested shortly after 7 a.m. and charged with two counts of possessing a concealed weapon. She told police she was homeless, according to TIA spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan.

But that isn't the end of the story, Geoghagan said. Police are wondering how a homeless woman could afford a plane ticket. After stopping Deffenbaugh, airport police confiscated her carry-on luggage.

"They found all sorts of electronic items," Geoghagan said. "There were multiple cell phones, a man's driver's license, a computer, a DVD player and a Blackberry."

That amount of electronics in the possession of a woman who says she is homeless raised eyebrows, Geoghagan said.

"There is more to this story," said Geoghagan, who couldn't elaborate because the investigation is continuing and the final report has yet to be filed. "We have held on to these items. Our police are conducting an investigation, especially into the driver's license and who might own these items."

Deffenbaugh, who lists her address as 6220 Nebraska Ave. N on jail records, is being held at the Orient Road Jail. Bail was set at $1,000, according to jail records.

Stay with TBO.com for developments.

Editor Howard Altman can be reached at (813) 259-7629 or haltman@tampatrib.com.

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