Watch Your Bags....TSA is Now Planting "Evidence"
Jan 21, 2010, 1:29 pm
#16
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Location: Easton, CT, USA
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They have been putting things in people's bags to see if they were caught way before the TSA even existed.
I had a bag screened once and the screener yelled out GUN as the bag went through the screening machine. They were testing them, the person at the front of the machine put a "test" gun under my bag as it went into the machine, and backed off the impending pounce on me.
The looks the other passengers gave me was very real, even though the white shirt was saying "it's only a test people"
They have to be tested and trained somehow to make sure they can detect the items they are supposed to be looking for.
I had a bag screened once and the screener yelled out GUN as the bag went through the screening machine. They were testing them, the person at the front of the machine put a "test" gun under my bag as it went into the machine, and backed off the impending pounce on me.
The looks the other passengers gave me was very real, even though the white shirt was saying "it's only a test people"
They have to be tested and trained somehow to make sure they can detect the items they are supposed to be looking for.
Jan 21, 2010, 1:43 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
They have been putting things in people's bags to see if they were caught way before the TSA even existed.
I had a bag screened once and the screener yelled out GUN as the bag went through the screening machine. They were testing them, the person at the front of the machine put a "test" gun under my bag as it went into the machine, and backed off the impending pounce on me.
The looks the other passengers gave me was very real, even though the white shirt was saying "it's only a test people"
They have to be tested and trained somehow to make sure they can detect the items they are supposed to be looking for.
I had a bag screened once and the screener yelled out GUN as the bag went through the screening machine. They were testing them, the person at the front of the machine put a "test" gun under my bag as it went into the machine, and backed off the impending pounce on me.
The looks the other passengers gave me was very real, even though the white shirt was saying "it's only a test people"
They have to be tested and trained somehow to make sure they can detect the items they are supposed to be looking for.
Although I'm certain an excuse would be that they are looking for powdered explosives.
Jan 21, 2010, 1:47 pm
#20
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Jan 21, 2010, 1:55 pm
#21
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un-freaking-believeable 
now if there was ever grounds for a lawsuit as even the article mentions eye witnesses. ianal but how much for "emotional distress"?
again, un-freaking-believeable
now if there was ever grounds for a lawsuit as even the article mentions eye witnesses. ianal but how much for "emotional distress"?
again, un-freaking-believeable
Jan 21, 2010, 2:07 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,403
Why am I so astounded by these stories? It really is just par for the course, but I'm amazed.
I'm not so impressed by the "emotional distress" argument, but the TSA's actions were idiotic at best.
Some points:
1. This is shortly after the incident involving "dummy" explosives in Bratislava. Security personnel worldwide should be aware that using unwitting accomplices to "test the system" is dangerous.
2. What if the TSA had not recovered its "powder?" What would happen to this woman at the next airport?
3. Good, the TSA fired this guy. I'm okay with them following employment law. It's okay if they just say that he's no longer working there, or "separated from The Administration." But they didn't say anything about measures to prevent this behavior in the future.
As they continue to embarrass themselves on the world stage, the TSA needs to be making press releases apologizing for this passenger's ordeal, and stating exactly what they will be doing to educate or re-educate their personnel.
I'm not so impressed by the "emotional distress" argument, but the TSA's actions were idiotic at best.
Some points:
1. This is shortly after the incident involving "dummy" explosives in Bratislava. Security personnel worldwide should be aware that using unwitting accomplices to "test the system" is dangerous.
2. What if the TSA had not recovered its "powder?" What would happen to this woman at the next airport?
3. Good, the TSA fired this guy. I'm okay with them following employment law. It's okay if they just say that he's no longer working there, or "separated from The Administration." But they didn't say anything about measures to prevent this behavior in the future.
As they continue to embarrass themselves on the world stage, the TSA needs to be making press releases apologizing for this passenger's ordeal, and stating exactly what they will be doing to educate or re-educate their personnel.
Jan 21, 2010, 2:12 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: SSSSS
Posts: 867
Tampering with evidence. I surmise that PA must have an evidence tampering law.
In Texas, its a Class III felony: 2-10 and $10k fine.
In NM its a felony - don't know the particulars.
In AZ its a Class 6 Felony:
Federally, I'd say the Hobbs Act is a likely candidate. 18 USC 1951. The Hobbs Act outlaws interference with interstate commerce by means of robbery or extortion. Extortion induced by fear, as in the present case, and extortion under color of official right. Clearly this donkey interfered with interstate commerce, as Ms. Solomon was boarding or about to board an interstate flight. To be prosecuted under Hobbs, the prosecution has to prove that interstate commerce was affected, (it was...the traveler had to take extra actions and time to file a complaint, not to mention the intentional infliction of mental duress). The prosecutor need only prove obstructed, delayed or affected interstate commerce. Proof of a potential impact, even one that is not particularly severe is sufficient.
Violation of the Hobbs Act is a 20 year felony and a $250,000 fine.
Then there's the ever present Thou shalt not lie in any manner within the jurisdiction of a federal executive branch agency, 18 USC 1001, which disallows "material false statements" concerning any matter within the jurisdiction of a federal executive branch agency. This illigitimatum produced a bag, implied that it was found in her luggage, and proceeded to question her about it. There can be no doubt that he did it to create a materially false statement used to initially intimidate her. Suppose she had been as old and ugly as me? Then what? Off to the hoosegow for me?
And wasn't this the airport where they hauled an airline captain off an airplane because he refused to allow a TSO to take his Rolex or maybe plant something in his bin?
In Texas, its a Class III felony: 2-10 and $10k fine.
In NM its a felony - don't know the particulars.
In AZ its a Class 6 Felony:
Federally, I'd say the Hobbs Act is a likely candidate. 18 USC 1951. The Hobbs Act outlaws interference with interstate commerce by means of robbery or extortion. Extortion induced by fear, as in the present case, and extortion under color of official right. Clearly this donkey interfered with interstate commerce, as Ms. Solomon was boarding or about to board an interstate flight. To be prosecuted under Hobbs, the prosecution has to prove that interstate commerce was affected, (it was...the traveler had to take extra actions and time to file a complaint, not to mention the intentional infliction of mental duress). The prosecutor need only prove obstructed, delayed or affected interstate commerce. Proof of a potential impact, even one that is not particularly severe is sufficient.
Violation of the Hobbs Act is a 20 year felony and a $250,000 fine.
Then there's the ever present Thou shalt not lie in any manner within the jurisdiction of a federal executive branch agency, 18 USC 1001, which disallows "material false statements" concerning any matter within the jurisdiction of a federal executive branch agency. This illigitimatum produced a bag, implied that it was found in her luggage, and proceeded to question her about it. There can be no doubt that he did it to create a materially false statement used to initially intimidate her. Suppose she had been as old and ugly as me? Then what? Off to the hoosegow for me?
And wasn't this the airport where they hauled an airline captain off an airplane because he refused to allow a TSO to take his Rolex or maybe plant something in his bin?
Jan 21, 2010, 2:25 pm
#26
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If a failing memory serves me correct, this is nothing new and it will happen again. Big Brother is alive and well.
Jan 21, 2010, 2:27 pm
#27
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As someone else stated - yet another reason why I ziptie all of the zippered compartments on my two carry-ons as soon as I get out of the car (hand-carrying the laptop from that point).
Jan 21, 2010, 2:38 pm
#28
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It was a flat object wrapped up in cardboard and tape, so I’m guessing it was a simulated weapon.
Jan 21, 2010, 2:47 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: FLL
Posts: 393
People, this is no joke. That TSA agent committed a serious felony offense.
I hope the local District Attorney or the US District Attorney is investigating this for potential prosecution. Planting evidence by a cop is encouraged and leads to the arrest of the person on whom the evidence was planted, and awards and promotions for the cop
I hope the local District Attorney or the US District Attorney is investigating this for potential prosecution. Planting evidence by a cop is encouraged and leads to the arrest of the person on whom the evidence was planted, and awards and promotions for the cop
Jan 21, 2010, 2:59 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 302
I had the same thing happen to me, except I caught them first. When I hollered “That screener placed something on top of my bag that does not belong to me!” the look on all their faces was priceless. It was a flat object wrapped up in cardboard and tape, so I’m guessing it was a simulated weapon.
It was a flat object wrapped up in cardboard and tape, so I’m guessing it was a simulated weapon.Love it! ^