An Edgewood Elementary School teaching aide was charged with illegal firearm possession after police say he was caught with a firearm in July, while on probation for a separate 2024 case involving a ghost gun.

Kairen Thomas, 28, of Parkville, was hired as an inclusion helper at Edgewood Elementary School in April 2023, according to an internal newsletter from the school system announcing his hiring. The position provides one-on-one support to students with severe disabilities.

Harford County Public Schools Manager of Communications Jillian Lader said Thursday that Thomas is no longer employed with the school system. Lader did not say when his employment ended. As of Thursday evening, Thomas was still listed as a staff member on Edgewood Elementary School’s website.

In a conference call with Harford County School Board President Aaron Poynton on Thursday, School Superintendent Sean Bulson told The Baltimore Sun he was unaware of any of the charges against Thomas.

A lawyer listed as representing Thomas in the latest case did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.

On March 5, 2024, roughly a year after Thomas began working in Harford schools, he was charged following an Abingdon traffic stop with several misdemeanors, including possessing a loaded handgun in a vehicle and possessing a firearm without a serial number, also known as a “ghost gun.”

Police wrote in charging documents that Thomas was parked in front of an Abingdon convenience store in a vehicle with “heavy window tint,” which is illegal, prompting officers to conduct a traffic stop. Thomas was wearing a black ski mask and appeared to be “very nervous” and “shaking,” charging documents said.

Police detected a “strong odor of cannabis” coming from the vehicle, and requested a K9 search. During that search Thomas told police there was a “large amount” of cannabis in his glove box.

About 35 grams of cannabis, along with a loaded, unregistered polymer 9 mm handgun were recovered from the vehicle, according to charging documents. It is illegal in Maryland to possess an un-serialized, unregistered handgun, often referred to as a “ghost gun.” A further search of the vehicle recovered a black fanny pack with loose 9 mm rounds, a magazine for a separate handgun, and other ammunition, police said. Thomas did not possess a permit to carry a regulated firearm, police said.

He was found guilty of the gun charges and given 18 months of probation starting April 23, 2024. The conviction prohibited him from owning or possessing a firearm during his probation.

On July 8 of this year, police detained Thomas in a separate investigation and said they found a 9 mm Smith & Wessin rifle in a duffle bag he was carrying. He was arrested and charged with possession of a rifle/shotgun as a disqualified person.

The arrest while on probation led to the reopening in August of his earlier case, according to police.

Court records indicate Thomas was released on his own recognizance and has a trial for the new charge set for Jan. 29, in Harford County Circuit Court.

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