NBC: Senate aide charged with carrying weapon

Webb staffer allegedly brought firearm into Russell Senate building

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updated 4:40 p.m. ET March 26, 2007

A Senate aide was arrested Monday on charges of bringing a firearm into the Russell Senate building, U.S. Capitol police told NBC News.

Kimberly Schneider, a spokeswoman for the police, said the aide worked for Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va. He entered the building at approximately 10:50 a.m., she said, and was in possession of an unregistered firearm. He did not have a license to carry a pistol in Washington, according to Schneider.

Webb's office issued a statement identifying the staffer as Phillip Thompson.

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"To our knowledge, this incident was an oversight by the senator's aide," said the statement, issued by Jessica Smith, a spokeswoman for Webb. "Phillip Thompson is a former Marine, a long-term friend and trusted employee of the senator. We are still awaiting facts."

No other details were immediately available.