Man sentenced for assaulting TSA officer at Indianapolis airport

The officer called for a supervisor over the radio. The supervisor noticed that Stevens appeared intoxicated and refused to comply with instructions. Stevens repeatedly said, “I don’t have nothing” and “I’m just trying to get home,” to the TSO.

The supervisor then instructed Stevens to remove his belt and hold his pants up by their belt loops. Instead, Stevens squatted and began shaking his buttocks at the supervisor and officers. This behavior forced the supervisor to halt screening in lanes one and two of Checkpoint A and call for an Indianapolis Airport Police Department (APD) officer.

When informed that APD was on its way, Stevens became agitated and exclaimed, “I don’t have nothing,” and “what do you want to see?” He then pulled his jeans and underwear down to his ankles, revealing himself to TSOs and other passengers.

Stevens proceeded to remove his jeans entirely before placing them over the supervisor’s shoulder. He then pressed his underwear into the supervisor’s face before throwing it at him. Finally, he removed his socks and started advancing toward the supervisor before being arrested by APD.

Speaking about the incident, Acting US Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana John Childress said:

"Our Indianapolis International Airport is one of the finest airports in this

country. "

"TSA Officers stationed at this airport handle significant passenger traffic

throughout each year w tremendous professionalism n real dedication towards

safety traveling public"

"Let this message be heard far n wide; lewd violent behavior towards security

staff demonstrated by Mr.Stevens case will not b tolerated @this district it

will b prosecuted fullest extent"

It was found that Stevens had multiple convictions for domestic violence and firearms offenses prior to this incident which contributed towards receiving a sentence at "very top" US Sentencing Guidelines highlighting seriousness offense

The incident was investigated jointly FBI TSA APD w sentence imposed US District Judge James R Sweeney II According FBI Indianapolis Special Agent Charge Herbert J Stapleton

"Stevens' sentence highlights FBI's commitment holding individuals accountable

criminal acts against federal officers"

Worldwide officers airline staff constantly deal unruly behavior despite improvements previous years frequency incidents continues increase According FAA airlines reported over +2102 unruly passenger cases +2024 %increase from +2076 previous year

In +2021 FAA FBI established information-sharing protocol refer unruly passenger cases criminal case review partnership aims ensure unruly airline passengers face criminal prosecution warranted US beyond unruly passenger behavior causes significant disruptions airlines puts other passengers risk