PA Right-Groping Is A Crime: California District Attorney promises to prosecute overly touchy pat downs
PA Right-Groping Is A Crime: California District Attorney promises to prosecute overly touchy pat downs
SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- The San Mateo district attorney's
office has a warning for all TSA personnel at SFO -- anyone
inappropriately touching a passenger during a security pat down
will be prosecuted.
Incoming San Mateo DA Steve Wagstaffe says any complaints of
inappropriate touching during an airport security pat down will
land on his desk.
"The case would be reviewed and if we could prove the elements of it, that it was inappropriately done with a sexual or lewd intent, that person would be prosecuted," he said.
"If it is skin to skin, if someone were to take their hand
and put it underneath somebody's blouse and touch someone
inappropriately and go skin to skin, that's a felony, and if it's
done simply over the clothing, according to California law, that's
a misdemeanor," Wagstaffe said.
More pat down searches are expected because some passengers are refusing to go through the image scanning device. Homeland Security announced more scanners are on the way as part of the enhanced security measures at all airports.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Fpeninsula&id=7793386