| LAX Screeners Arrested on Drug Trafficking and Corruption Charges
An indictment unsealed today accuses two current and two ex-security screeners at Los Angeles International Airport with taking cash payments to allow large shipments of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine to pass through X-ray machines at airport security checkpoints. White, whose employment was terminated by the TSA last year, was stationed at LAX screening checkpoints when she allegedly allowed drugs to pass through,including a shipment of more than 20 kilograms of cocaine; -- Capeline McKinney, 25, of Los Angeles, who was arrested this morning. Whitfield, a TSA screener who allegedly worked with Richardson to allow nearly four kilograms of meth to pass through LAX security, is also accused of personally allowing more than 20 kilograms of cocaine to pass through LAX security; -- Joy White, 27, of Compton, who was arrested this morning. Authorities are searching for another alleged drug courier named in the22-count grand jury indictment, prosecutors said. Moreover to the current and former Transportation Security Administration officials, one alleged drug courier is presently in state custody, and another suspected drug courier is expected to surrender Thursday. All of the defendants who were arrested Tuesday and today were expectedto be arraigned on the indictment later today in Los Angeles federal court. Eleby allegedly attempted to bring nearly five kilograms of cocaine through a security checkpoint, but the narcotics were seized by law enforcement when he went through the wrong security checkpoint; -- Terry Cunningham, 28, of Los Angeles, an alleged drug courier presently being sought by authorities; and -- Stephen Bayliss, 28, of Los Angeles, an alleged drug courier who's currently in state custody. The TSA screener allegedly allowed more than 20 kilograms of cocaine to pass through her security checkpoint; -- Duane Eleby, 28, of Downey, who is expected to surrender to authorities Thursday. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. Attorney's Office. The indictment names: -- Naral Richardson, 30, of Los Angeles, who was arrested this morning. The indictment outlines five specific incidents in which current and former TSA employees allegedly took payments of as much as $2,400 to allow suitcases full of drugs to pass through X-ray machines at LAX while federal screeners looked the other way. "Airport screeners act as a vital checkpoint for homeland security, and air travelers should believe in the fundamental integrity of security systems at our nation's airports,'" said U. "The allegations in this case describe a significant breakdown of the screening system through the conduct of people who placed greed above the nation's security needs. If convicted of all charges in the indictment, the current and former TSA officials each face potential multiple-year prison sentences up to life behind bars, prosecutors said. LAX Screeners Arrested on Drug Trafficking and Corruption Charges |
Thursday, 26 April 2012
LAX Screeners Arrested on Drug Trafficking and Corruption Charges
