Florida Man Indicted After Booby-Trapped Rifle Discharges During Arrest at NJ Train Station

Jeffrey Kennerk faces multiple weapons and endangerment charges after allegedly transporting loaded firearms, silencers, and ammunition on Amtrak train through New Jersey.

A Florida man has been indicted on multiple weapons and endangerment charges after allegedly transporting a cache of firearms—including a booby-trapped semi-automatic rifle that discharged during his arrest—onboard an Amtrak train in New Jersey, state officials announced.

Jeffrey O. Kennerk, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, was indicted on several second- and fourth-degree charges, including possession of assault weapons, silencers, large capacity magazines, and hollow point ammunition, as well as aggravated assault and endangering others. The indictment was announced on April 16 by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.

“This defendant allegedly hauled a small arsenal of deadly weapons and ammunition through busy transit stations, and on a train filled with passengers,” said Attorney General Platkin. “He allegedly left a suitcase containing assorted weapons and ammunition – including an assault rifle – in the concourse of Newark Penn Station, where anyone could have been harmed by them. If not for the outstanding police work done in this matter, we can only imagine where this defendant and these weapons would have ended up.”

According to the indictment and related complaints, the investigation began on January 3, 2025, when NJ Transit Police discovered an unattended zebra-print suitcase near the McDonald’s restaurant at Newark Penn Station. A K9 unit cleared the bag of explosives, but a search revealed a loaded handgun, rifle magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Officers also found a black AK-47 style rifle inside a pink duffle bag stored in a second compartment of the suitcase.

Surveillance footage linked the suitcase to a man—later identified as Kennerk—seen carrying two bags and purchasing an Amtrak ticket. Police traced Kennerk to the next scheduled stop: Trenton Transit Center. Officers intercepted him before he could board another train.

During a search of Kennerk’s luggage at the Trenton station, police discovered additional firearms, including a disassembled AR-15 style rifle and a loaded .300 AAC Blackout rifle. When officers attempted to safely disarm the latter weapon, which was wrapped in handkerchiefs around the trigger guard, it discharged unexpectedly—suggesting it had been booby-trapped to fire without a trigger pull.

Further inspection revealed multiple extended magazines, four silencers, 10 silencer-related components, and hollow point ammunition in 9mm and .22 calibers.

Kennerk faces:

• Multiple second-degree charges, each punishable by five to 10 years in state prison and fines of up to $150,000

• Fourth-degree charges, each carrying penalties of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000

The prosecution is being led by Deputy Attorney General Karen Bracizewski under the supervision of DCJ’s Major Threats Bureau.

Attorney General Platkin credited the joint efforts of the NJ Transit Police, New Jersey State Police, Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, ATF, FBI, Mercer and Essex County Prosecutors’ Offices, and the Newark Police Ballistics Lab for their work on the investigation.

All charges remain accusations, and Kennerk is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.