PHILADELPHIA, PA – Lester Santana III, a 34-year-old from Philadelphia, pleaded guilty on Thursday to evading security requirements at Philadelphia International Airport. The plea was entered before United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez.
Santana, a former airline employee, admitted to using his employee credentials to bypass security screenings. He carried large amounts of U.S. currency into secure areas of the airport, evading inspection by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel.
During the plea hearing, Santana confessed to repeatedly exploiting his employee status to avoid the mandatory screening and inspection processes. These actions violated airport security protocols designed to prevent unauthorized access and ensure safe travel.
Santana faces severe penalties for his actions. He could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies. The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Air Marshal Service, the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General, the New Jersey State Police’s Strategic Investigations Unit, and the Philadelphia Police Department all played roles in uncovering Santana’s activities.
Assistant United States Attorney Vineet Gauri from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania is leading the prosecution. He is receiving support from Assistant United States Attorney Patrick C. Askin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced the guilty plea, highlighting the importance of maintaining stringent security measures at all airports. Santana’s case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to uphold security standards and prevent breaches that could undermine public safety.
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