Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg says a Seattle man was out of line and outside the law in a confrontation with TSA officers at an airport checkpoint.

Phil Mocek was charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing and other charges after refusing to show his ID at the Albuquerque Sunport in November 2009. His trial was postponed this week. Civil liberties groups across the nation are watching the case closely.

“It’s about public safety,” Brandenburg said. “In this day and age, when you get a prescription, when you go get a medical exam, you usually have to show a picture ID - that’s what we do. This individual refused to show his ID, and refused to obey a lawful order. He was asked to leave and he refused to leave.”