Army Officer's Wedding Dress and Passport Stolen at New Orleans Airport — Suspect Arrested After AirTag Leads to Arrest

Army Officer's Sentimental Items Stolen After Flight

Amber Oglesby, an Army officer returning to the U.S. from Kosovo for Thanksgiving, discovered that a carry-on bag containing her wedding dress, passport and identification had been stolen after she landed at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, local outlet WDSU reported.

Oglesby was greeted at the airport by her fiancé, Cody Aelum, and their 1-year-old daughter. While Aelum loaded luggage into their car and Oglesby embraced their child, the couple later realized one carry-on was missing when they arrived home.

AirTag Trace Leads to Arrest

Oglesby said she had placed an AirTag in the missing bag. The tracker initially led her to an employee parking garage at the airport and then, the next morning, to a residence in Kenner, La. Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (JPSO) investigators followed up on that lead.

JPSO public information officer Brandon Veal identified the person arrested as 59-year-old Jesus Orellana Castillo. Veal told WDSU that Castillo, a contract employee at the airport, was booked on theft charges.

Items Discarded; Community Responds

Oglesby said the stolen items, including the wedding dress and her passport, were ultimately discarded by whoever took them — a discovery she described as a "gut punch." She told reporters that while many items can be replaced, their sentimental value cannot.

"It’s got more sentimental value. I had this one thing that I was looking forward to being able to bring back with me and share this beautiful moment with my family and friends," Oglesby said.

An airport spokesperson released a statement saying the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport "maintains a strong focus on passenger, employee, and facility safety and security" and expects contracted partners to meet those standards. The airport said it reviewed surveillance footage, identified a suspect on camera and shared details with JPSO to support the investigation.

Town & Country Bridal in New Orleans has offered to replace Oglesby’s gown; a store employee told PEOPLE that Oglesby visited on Dec. 5 to look at potential replacements. PEOPLE and WDSU have contacted the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the airport for comment as the investigation continues.

What to Know

• Victims should report thefts and missing travel documents immediately to local law enforcement and their embassy or consulate if abroad.
• Tracking devices such as AirTags can help locate missing items but may not guarantee recovery of sentimental items.
• Airport contractors are expected to follow security protocols; incidents involving staff or contractors are investigated by local authorities and airport security teams.