"New York Airport Screener Gets Year In Jail For Tampering"

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Airport Screener Gets Year In Jail For Tampering
The Queens (NY) Chronicle

 
A Transportation Security Administration agent assigned to Kennedy Airport
has been sentenced to one year in jail in connection with the theft of
personal property from a passenger's bag. 

Clarence Henry, 51, of Brooklyn, was sentenced last week by Queens Supreme
Court Judge James Griffin, after Griffin pleaded guilty to tampering with
public records in December.  
 
As part of his plea, Henry admitted that on Aug. 5, 2004 he removed watches,
jewelry and cash from a passenger's checked bag at the American Airlines
terminal. He also admitted to failing to document the incident by placing a
notice inside the bag, advising the passenger that the bag had been
inspected. 

TSA agents are authorized to open and search luggage for contraband,
explosives and hazardous materials. The luggage Henry was accused of
tampering with had been placed for inspection in a secure screening area. 

"Instead of inspecting bags to keep travelers safe and protect our nation's
airlines from terrorism, the defendant used his position of trust to examine
luggage and help himself to things that he found inside," said Queens
District Attorney Richard Brown in a statement. "His actions are not only
criminal, but a betrayal of the trust thousands of dedicated TSA agents who
faithfully carry out their responsibilities each day."


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