20 The Queens Courier • SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com TSA agent arrested for sexually abusing passenger at LaGuardia BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com @aaltamirano28 A TSA agent has been charged for sexually assaulting a college student inside a LaGuardia Airport bathroom earlier this week while making her believe she had to be searched for weapons, according to the district attorney’s office. Port Authority detectives arrested Maxie Oquendo, 40, of Manhattan after the incident on Aug. 25 and he is currently awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on charges of unlawful imprisonment, official misconduct, sexual abuse and harassment. If convicted, he faces up to one year in jail. According to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, on Aug. 25 the 21-year-old student , who was reportedly from Korea, had arrived at LaGuardia Airport on a flight from Salt Lake City when she was approached by Oquendo in Terminal B after she walked out of the sterile checkpoint area and entered an area where passengers do not have to be screened. He then told her, “Hey, ma’am, I need to scan your body and your luggage.” Oquendo then motioned with his hand for the victim to follow him to the bathroom, where they waited outside for about 10 minutes before entering, authorities said. Inside, the victim then allegedly told Oquendo, “You can’t scan me but you can have a woman scan me because I am a girl.” He then told her to face the mirror and raise both arms up. The woman asked Oquendo if he checked all passengers and he allegedly said yes. Oquendo then had the victim lift up her shirt and unzip her pants, and he touched her breasts and other areas of her body both over and under her clothing, prosecutors said. He then told her that he was not going to check her luggage and into his cellphone said, “She’s clear. She doesn’t have any weapons or knives.” “The defendant is accused of an egregious abuse of his position as a government screener at LaGuardia Airport to sexually victimize a young woman. Such alleged conduct cannot, under any circumstances, go FILE PHOTO unpunished,” Brown said. According to the TSA, its officers do not have the authority to conduct a secondary pat-down outside of a checkpoint area. The agency added that opposite gender screening requiring a pat-down can only be done when there are no female officers available and a witness is present during such pat-downs, which must be conducted in a designated private screening area in a TSA checkpoint. FREE Eye Exam WITH PURCHASE OF COMPLETE PAIR OF GLASSES OR EYE EXAM ONLY – $25 (REG. $85) COMPETITIVE PRICES with • Personalized Service & Attention • Our Professionally Trained Staff Will Give You A Careful Fit • Newest Styles • No Gimmicks 20% OFF ALL PURCHASES not to be combined with any other offer Varilux no-line bifocals progessive lenses w/plastic or metal frames Choose From Over 300 Frames $170 Some restrictions may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer. 2 Pairs of Eyeglasses (Frames & Lenses) $99 Choose From Over 300 Frames Some restrictions may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer. We Honor Most Competitor’s Coupons WE ARE A LOCAL FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS, NOT A CHAIN. WE OFFER PERSONAL SERVICE WITH HIGH QUALITY & LOW PRICES HUGE SELECTION! 50% OFF non-prescription sunglasses. Some restrictions may apply. Not to be combined with any other offer. • Lenses Duplicated • Motor Vehicle Exam • Prescription Filled • Adjustments Done At No Extra Charge • Lab on Premises • Tinting • Eye Exams Clifford Optical 38-19 BELL BOULEVARD, BAYSIDE • 718.229.8086 OFFERING THE LOWEST PRICES ON CONTACT LENSES Join us for FREE High Holy Day Services! Children’s Programming Engaging Study Uplifting Music Meditation Call 718-343-8660 to reserve your seats, or email us at office@templesholom.org Temple Sholom 262-22 Union Turnpike, Floral Park, NY 718-343-8660 www.templesholom.org Paul Trolio, President Cantor Josée Wolff, D.Min., Spiritual Leader Rabbi Sue Ann Wasserman, Visiting Rabbi Member of the
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