Lake Forest Exec Facing Firearm Felony Forgot Loaded Gun, He Says

CHICAGO – A Lake Forest real estate executive accused of bringing a loaded gun through a security checkpoint Friday at O'Hare International Airport now faces a felony charge and thousands of dollars in fines. David Santee, of the 1200 block of Harlan Lane in Lake Forest, was arrested shortly after 6 a.m. at a TSA checkpoint when agents reportedly noticed a gun in his bag on an X-ray machine.

Santee appeared in bond court Saturday, where a judge set his bail at $3,000 for a single count of attempting to board an aircraft with a weapon. Authorities said he paid 10 percent – $300 in cash – and was released from custody on bond.

The 59-year-old is the executive vice president and chief executive officer of Equity Residential, a Chicago-based S&P 500 real estate investment trust that owns more than 78,000 units in more than 300 properties. The third-largest owner of apartments in the country, the company said it focuses on rental properties in "high-density suburban coastal gateway markets."

Santee had been planning on stepping down as COO of the company at the end of June and retiring by the end of the year, the company announced earlier this month. He has been with the company since 1994, served in he variety of roles and is set to be replaced by Michael Manelis, currently the company's executive vice president of property operations.

Prosecutors described the case as "typical" and noted that Santee suggested he had forgotten the Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun was in his luggage, according to the Chicago Tribune. He was the third person arrested at O'Hare in 2018 so far, according to the TSA.

Guns are only allowed on planes when they are placed in checked bags and properly stored. Boarding a plane with a firearm is a class 4 felony in Illinois.

If convicted, Santee could face a maximum of three years in prison and $25,000 in fines. In addition to the criminal penalties, TSA can assess fines of up to $9,800. He would also be eligible to receive up to 30 months of probation.