TSA Agent Accused of Molesting 21-Year-Old Traveler LaGuardia Airport
A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent at New York City's LaGuardia Airport has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a young woman during an unauthorized screening.
Officials say TSA screener Maxie Oquendo lured a 21-year-old South Korean woman into an airport bathroom by telling her that he needed to scan her body for weapons last Tuesday. However, once inside of the bathroom, the 40-year-old agent allegedly lifted the Korean exchange student's shirt, unzipped her pants and fondled her.
"Supposedly he took her into another area using his official position, being in uniform, and she thought it was a part of his official duty," said Joe Pentangelo, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, reports Reuters.
He then said, "She's clear. She doesn't have any weapons or knives," according to court documents, reports the New York Daily News.
Afterwards, the woman reported the incident to authorities and Port Authority police arrested Oquendo on Thursday. He was charged with unlawful imprisonment, official misconduct, sexual abuse and harassment.
A judge ordered him to pay a $3,000 bail at his arraignment last Friday night. Oquendo, who joined the TSA 13 years ago, was also immediately fired.
On Friday, the TSA issued a statement, "TSA holds its employees to the highest standards. As such, we expect our employees to conduct themselves with integrity, professionalism, and with respect for the public we serve. When our employees fail to meet these fundamental ethical standards, we will hold our personnel appropriately accountable," reports ABC News.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown also released a statement, stating, "The defendant is accused of an egregious abuse of his position as a government screener at LaGuardia Airport to sexually victimize a young woman. Such alleged conduct cannot, under any circumstances, go unpunished."
If found guilty, Oquendo faces up to one year in jail. The suspect has two daughters with no criminal history.
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