AUSTIN (AP) - Federal authorities on Tuesday arrested 15 people and issued warrants for 13 others on
charges of giving false information to gain access to secure areas at Austin-Bergstrom International
Airport.
Authorities began Operation Tarmac in October 2002, said Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney for the
Western District of Texas. The suspects provided false information on application forms to obtain
access badges to secure areas, authorities said.
More than 5,000 employees with access to secure areas were screened.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McCaul said the suspects are in the country illegally. Although none
of them are suspected of plotting terrorism, he said authorities wanted to shut down any security risk.
"In the post-September 11th environment, we must take extra precautions to ensure the flying public's
safety," Sutton said.
"Allowing individuals who are in the United States illegally and have intentionally and repeatedly
falsified their identities to have acces to the most secure areas of the Austin airport poses an
unnecessary security risk," Sutton said.
The suspects lied to obtain security clearance forms, which allowed access to all restricted and
secured areas of the airport, including the control towers and the interior and cargo holds of planes,
investigators said.
Some of the defendants used false Social Security numbers, false visas, permits and other U.S.
documents, authorities said.
The suspects appeared before a federal magistrate judge on Tuesday.
The charges carry penalties ranging from five to 10 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines if
convicted.
