TSA agent arrested after allegedly tricking woman into showing breasts

A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent was arrested this week after being accused of unlawfully detaining a female airline passenger and tricking her into showing him her breasts and the inside of her pants.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced the arrest of 22-year-old Johnathon Lomeli on Thursday, and also released the criminal complaint against him. 

According to the complaint, Lomeli allegedly stopped a female passenger at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and claimed he needed to look into her bra for a security screening.

The woman claims in an affidavit obtained by The Associated Press that he looked into her bra and ordered her to hold out the waistband of her pants so he could look into them before he said he needed to detain her in a private room for further screening.{mosads}

However, they never made it to the private room, and Lomeli allegedly instructed the woman “to show me your full breasts” in an elevator. He also allegedly looked into her pants a second time, and complimented her breasts before allowing her to leave and make her way through the airport.

“Women deserve to be treated with dignity and respect everywhere,” Becerra said in announcing the arrest on Thursday. “There is no excuse for this kind of alleged behavior. It’s not OK on the street, it’s not OK in our schools, and it’s certainly not welcome at the airport. At the California Department of Justice, we’ll continue to do everything in our power to hold those who break the law accountable.”

According to the news release, the incident took place in June. Lomeli was arrested on one felony count of false imprisonment using fraud or deceit. An FBI spokesperson told the AP that Lomeli was let go from his airport job in 2019.

In a statement, the TSA condemned his alleged actions, calling them “unacceptable and an affront to the hardworking and committed members of our workforce.”