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O'Hare suspect waives preliminary hearing

Subash Gurung allegedly tried to board a plane at O'Hare International Airport with knives and other weapons.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- A man who security officials said tried to bring knives and other weapons onto an airplane here last weekend remains in custody after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing, which was to take place Thursday.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office said the decision was not unusual, since the man, Subash Gurung, would have been denied bond anyway because he is in the country on a student visa that has expired.

Gurung, who said he was from Nepal, will remain in custody until the next court proceeding, which is as yet unscheduled.

Two knives he was carrying on his person were confiscated at the security screening area of O'Hare International Airport, but other knives, a stun gun and a box labeled "tear gas" in his carry-on bag were not detected. The bag was searched at the gate, shortly before he was to board the plane.

Gurung said he forget the knives were in the bag, and federal authorities have said they don't believe Gurung was involved in any terrorist activity.

He is being held without bond on a federal charge of attempting to carry a weapon on an aircraft. If convicted, he would face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Eight airport security workers, including a supervisor, were suspended because of the incident. All work for Argenbright Security Inc., which said its employees followed proper procedures, but also said it will implement tighter security measures.