A TSA officer accused of molesting a female traveler has been arrested and fired from his post. According to New York’s LaGuardia Airport officials, Mr. Maxie Oquendo asked a 22-year-old traveler to follow him to a bathroom where he touched her inappropriately.
A TSA officer accused of sexually assaulting a passenger at New York’s LaGuardia Airport is now behind bars. On Tuesday night, at around 8 p.m., Maxie Oquendo, a 40-year-old Transportation Security Administration officer, made contact with a 22-year-old female passenger who was in Terminal B.
Mr. Oquendo allegedly told the exchange student from Korea that she had to follow him to a nearby bathroom for a more extensive search.
The young woman had already gone through the screening checkpoint and no longer needed to be searched. According to charges, the TSA officer used his uniform and authority to convince the passenger otherwise, and he took her to the bathroom where he proceeded to lift her top to touch her breasts, belly, and other areas.
Oquendo also unzipped the woman’s pants to fondle her private parts, according to the shocking allegations. After the horrible and traumatizing incident, the woman immediately contacted authorities, who swiftly reacted by arresting the alleged criminal still wearing his uniform.
He was also fired from his post. The victim told officials that she knew that the search was inappropriate, but feared the TSA officer.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, who is handling the case, said in a statement:
“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,” Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement.
TSA Administrator Peter V. Neffenger added that the former employee has been charged with forcible touching, official misconduct, and unlawful imprisonment, and may go to prison for at least 12 months if found guilty. Neffenger said:
“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”
Neffenger added:
“The vast majority of the TSA workforce serves with honor and integrity, and treats every passenger with dignity and respect. TSA is working in close partnership with the Port Authority Police Department in support of this investigation.”
What should happen to the TSA officer accused of assault?
