United States of America v. George Stevens

Description:

Indianapolis, Indiana criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with interference with security screening personnel and assault of a federal officer.
South Carolina Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal Prison for Lewd Assault on TSA Officer at Indianapolis AirportInternational Airport
George Stevens, 38, of South Carolina, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to interference with security screening personnel and assault of a federal officer.

According to court documents, at approximately 1:30 p.m. on July 15, 2023, Stevens was passing through Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) Checkpoint A at the Indianapolis International Airport. When he moved through a screening machine at Checkpoint A, the machine displayed an alarm indicating that additional screening of his chest, groin, and buttocks was required. A Transportation Security Officer (“TSO”) requested that Stevens step aside for a pat-down search. Stevens complied with the initial request and continued to comply while the TSO patted down his chest. However, when the TSO began patting down his outer and inner groin area, Stevens called the TSO a “freak” approximately 4 times. The TSO then requested a supervisor over the radio.

The supervisor who responded to the radio call observed that Stevens appeared intoxicated, was not complying with the TSO’s instructions, and was repeating phrases such as “I don’t have nothing” and “I’m just trying to get home.”

When the supervisor instructed Stevens to remove his belt and hold his pants up by his belt loops, Stevens dropped into a squat and shook his buttocks at the supervisor and other assisting TSOs. The supervisor then halted screening in lanes 1 and 2 of Checkpoint A, and requested that an Indianapolis Airport Police Department (“APD”) officer be dispatched to Checkpoint A. While the supervisor was doing this, Stevens squatted for a second time and shook his buttocks at the other TSOs.

When Stevens was told that APD was on its way, Stevens became agitated and stated, “I don’t have nothing” and “what do you want to see?” Stevens then pulled his jeans and underwear to his ankles and exposed his bare buttocks and genitals to the TSOs and the passengers in the vicinity.

When the APD officer arrived, Stevens continued to disrobe by removing his jeans and placing them over the supervisor’s shoulder, removing his underwear and forcibly pressing it into the supervisor’s face, and then throwing the underwear at the supervisor.

Stevens then removed his socks and – while completely naked – began advancing towards the supervisor. Stevens was then placed under arrest by APD and removed from the Checkpoint.

The entirety of Stevens’ lewd assault occurred in full view of the traveling public, including families with small children, who were attempting to navigate the security checkpoint and get to their flights.

Prior to this incident, Stevens had sustained an extensive criminal history spanning multiple years, including multiple convictions for domestic violence and firearms offenses. The sentence that Stevens received was at the very top of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range.

“Our Indianapolis International Airport is one of the finest airports in the country. TSA Officers stationed at the airport handle significant passenger traffic throughout the year with tremendous professionalism and a real dedication to the safety of the traveling public,” said John E. Childress, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Let this message be heard far and wide; the lewd and violent behavior towards security staff demonstrated by Mr. Stevens in this case will not be tolerated in this district, and it will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”

“TSA officers at Indianapolis International Airport work tirelessly to screen thousands of people each day and prevent dangerous items from being brought onboard aircraft, usually in full cooperation with passengers,” TSA Indiana Federal Security Director Aaron Batt said. “We appreciate the support from local law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office when our officers or members of the public face harassment and abuse at the checkpoint, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate in our joint effort to keep passengers and our nation’s transportation systems safe.”

"This sentence underscores the FBI’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for criminal acts against those who serve and safeguard the public,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI, in collaboration with local and federal partners, will continue its tireless efforts to identify and apprehend those who commit these lewd and unlawful acts against public servants.”

The FBI, TSA, and APD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.

Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Olivier, who prosecuted this case.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 33 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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