Man arrested at airport before Bush’s arrival

SANFORD – A man was arrested on weapons charges Friday at Sanford Regional Airport shortly before President Bush’s arrival, the Portland Press Herald reported Friday night.

The arrest of Christopher Willey, 38, of Springvale was not immediately explained by U.S. Secret Service agents.

Willey was brought to the York County Jail on charges of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and having a loaded gun in his vehicle. The 9 mm handgun was in Willey’s car, according to Maine State Police Trooper Jeremy Forbes.

Forbes said Secret Service agents noticed something suspicious about the man but would not say what.

Willey was being held at the York County Jail and was expected to make his initial court appearance Monday.

Onlookers said Secret Service agents and state police troopers surrounded the man and questioned him less than an hour before Air Force One landed.

Dan McNally said he saw agents search the car and confiscate a handgun and two magazines of ammunition.

“He was smiling – like no big deal,” McNally said of the man. “It was like, ‘I wanted to draw attention to myself and now I got it.”‘

Don LeClair, the owner of Airport Variety, said agents later checked Willey’s car with dogs.