A New Jersey man who allegedly slipped past Newark Airport security last weekend is facing a charged of defiant trespassing and a $500 fine.
Haisong Jiang, 28, of Piscataway N.J., was arrested at his home at 7:30 p.m. Friday, questioned at the airport and let go shortly after midnight today.
Investigators say a surveillance tape shows a Transportation Security Administration agent leaving his post, then Jiang ducking a rope past the security checkpoint to meet a woman last Sunday night.
The move caused Newark’s Terminal C to be shut down for six hours as passengers were rescreened.
New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg praised police for tracking down Jiang, but called the trespassing charge “a slap on the wrist.”
Meanwhile, the TSA guard charged with securing the area is on administrative leave and faces possible disciplinary action.
Published reports identified the guard seen on the tape as Ruben Hernandez of Newark.
Yet union officials who represent the guard said Friday that the guard is a “model employee” and they were investigating reports he was called away to investigate a disturbance.
(Source: NY1)
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5 Responses
I think that this whole incident is the guards fault because if he didn’t leave his post, it would not have happened! I think at the least the gaurd should be fined, if not arrested. But what was Haisong Jiang supposed to do? How was he supposed to know there was supposed to be a gaurd there? What is he supposed to do, just stand there and wait for the gaurd? How does he know how long he’s going to have to wait?
It would make more sense not to charge the guy. They had to charge the guy because they had egg on their face. Its a shame it was the fault of the TSA!!!!
Of course the guard should be punished but don’t make like the guy is so innocent. He went in an exit way. Is he living in some kind of bubble, oblivious to the world around him? Has he ever heard of terrorism. Sheesh!
Did he cause terrorism? He walked a few meters! Being the babies that they are, they had to track this guy down, (wow, great police work catching an unassuming guy at home!) and arrest him. Still not happy; they have to actually fine him. And now this fool says, that’s not enough, it’s only a slap on the wrist.
I think I once heard it suggested that perhaps this country was attacked by terrorist who dropped a stupidizing powder over Washington. Actually, it sounds more like the time came for Veavda Chachmas Chachamov.
Very comforting to know that respect for ropes is what keeps our international terminals safe even when guards are away from their post.