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Detroit TSA agent moonlighting as armed fast food robber

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Apr 16th 2010 at 10:30AM

A Detroit TSA agent has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in at least four robberies of local fast food restaurants. The men were caught on camera robbing a McDonalds where they used a brick to smash the windows and rob the staff. The camera footage shows the men using the same blue gloves as used by TSA staff at airport checkpoints.

The gang was made up of three men - but the TSA is most interested in Quantrez Sawyer as they are the ones that employ him to guard Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The arrest is just another embarrassment for the TSA who seem to have a pretty bad track record. In the past, TSA workers have been arrested on suspicion of luggage theft, theft of an HBO production camera and even possession of child porn.

The three are each being held on a $1 million bond, and if convicted, they may end up spending life sentences in jail.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Charley Apr 16th 2010 12:41PM

Based solely on my interaction with TSA screeners, I do not feel safer than I did when contract security ran the checkpoints. Same people, different uniforms. That said, the more centralized administration of security policy does give the TSA more strategic information (intel) to work with. Overall, the TSA has been a mixed success. At least there hasn't been another 9-11 style attack.

Gertie Girly Apr 18th 2010 8:15PM

There are bad guys in all walks of life. It has nothing to do with the fact that he worked for TSA. He was a low life and with luck will spend several years with other low lifes.

phil Apr 18th 2010 8:15PM

Close enough for government work?!? Lets "change" the people and the image.

Bob Apr 18th 2010 8:22PM

TSA. What a surpise.

Paula Apr 18th 2010 8:31PM

After 9/11 the TSA had to hire a huge amount of people really fast and I think they may have taken a lot of bad apples. I have had both positive AND negative experiences with them and I think at this point, with so many people needing jobs, it is time for TSA to allow passengers to file complaints or compliments. I know there have been really rude people who I would love to have the opportunity to tell someone about and I have also had really positive experiences with some that would cause me to praise them.

memerle Apr 19th 2010 1:17PM

I agree with you. Your coment is the only one that offer a common sense aproach, that might help solve the problem. The rest sound just as stupid as the act of the TSA agent

Skip Fiedler Apr 18th 2010 8:39PM

I've taken the TSA Screener test 3 times. Each time I was advised I didn't pass with no further explanation. I never understood why as I have an engineering degree and some experience in reading x-rays. The testing consisted of a general knowledge, personality and the ability to evaluate articles in x-ray screens. I found the tests rather easy and have throughout my career taken these type of tests.

Furthermore, having gone through many airports and noticing the TSA employees and their manner as well as their ethnic backgrounds, I concluded that it wasn't my inability to pass their tests as much as it was the fact that I wasn't a minority. The testing seemed to me to be a sham and a ruse to provide government employment which was not based on ability. As I was unemployed and needed a job, I have always wondered if my assessment was correct.

Analyze This Apr 18th 2010 9:12PM

Sadly you are probably correct. The government holds itself very tight to the minority hiring scheme. Being "overqualified" as you are classes you out of an entry level government job.

TSA is NOT in the same league as the FBI, Federal Marshals or other DOJ positions. Somehow some people with above average intelligence and better judgement fall through the cracks and get jobs there. You can bet their superiors are watching every move they make.

Concerned Citizen Apr 18th 2010 9:38PM

you have concluded wrong. Do not blame your inability to pass the requirements of being a TSA officer on the fact that you are a non-miniority. There have been many individuals of all races that have taken these test with so-called past experience that have not passed as well. Either try again or get over it an find another job.

ed bone Apr 18th 2010 9:38PM

Always some excuse, spend all your parent's money going to college for a degree and you're out of work, flunking entry level positions jobs and you want to blame it on race........more like YOU'RE to dumb to keep a job or get a job, try McDonald's or WalMart

brandonmil3 Apr 18th 2010 10:05PM

It was your ethnicity....I just ran into the same crap where I have been doing Quality Control work, I'm a contractor, they opened up some positions for regular employment and they picked 2 of 3 minorities (white woman, mexican woman) after me being there for 4 months prior to their one month...and the 3rd person they picked, I was showing how to check some parts (that he had no clue about) 30 minutes before I was told I was not a good fit for the position! Oh and this company makes medical devices.

Alicia Apr 18th 2010 10:20PM

I think it isn't that your over qualified or failing the test. Maybe you have a much better personality than some of the nasty people working for TSA. I am sure they have to hire a large diversity in staff. Although I'm sure you will get extensive heat on that comment.

I worked for the airlines during 911 and most of us lost our jobs, became temp screeners until TSA came in. They did serious background checks on us and many lost their jobs over simple stuff like a hot check, unpaid ticket, etc. I couldn't believe some of the people who lost their jobs at the time (a 48 year old grandma who had an indecent exposure charge at 17 years old). You would think they must pass an extensive background check as well! Only about a 1/4 was taken back or asked to come back to the airlines on rehire about a year down the road and most of us had already gone somewhere else.

tinacn Apr 18th 2010 11:13PM

Yep, and you'll likely never get hired. That entire TSA set-up is a minority make-jobs project. No one with real, proven skills at that kind of work will ever be hired, because you would embarrass the supervisors and managers withtheir lack of ability or skills. A joke, and a poor one.

Robert Apr 19th 2010 3:56AM

You are right, I took their test and was told the same thing and as for my qualifications, I have worked in nuclear security for 12 years and whether you trust nuclear security or not, we do the same thing ( and more ) here, I think I am more qualified than any one of them to do their job, so, go figure.

shanedieselblack Apr 19th 2010 3:48AM

Maybe they just don't like your name. "Skip". It just reeks of beer and the smell of redneck pickup truck fuel.

hatcher2538 Apr 19th 2010 6:34AM

Here we go with this"I'm discriminated against because I am a white man" crap. Welcome to our world. Don't be mad, UPS is hiring!

dodah001 Apr 18th 2010 8:39PM

Lookin at dis criminal dude, I feels real safe to fly...ha ha!

Joe Papierz Jr Apr 18th 2010 8:49PM

I wonder about the whole concept of pre-flight security inspection. Has any airport actually found an operational explosive device, weapon or trigger mechanism in carry on luggage since 9-11 and prevented boarding of a passanger with that device? Even the so called "underpants bomber" was near the end of his flight and only failed in his mission because his matches wouldn't stay lit. Same thing with the shoe bomber. They were both on board their respective planes nearing the end of their flights when they were discovered by passengers, not the TSA or onboard Security Officers. Probably cheap airport matches they picked up while wating in line for the pre-boarding inspection and search.

Dan Apr 19th 2010 2:29AM

The so-called underpants bomber did not use matches. He was using the explosive PETN and was trying to use a chemical trigger that was loaded in a syringe. Which caught fire instead of detonating the explosive. Fortunately the passengers were able to subdue him and extinguish the fire. I just wish Obama would get it right though. The underpants bomber is a friggin TERRORIST!!!! Obama did you get that?

As to the TSA hiring practices. They leave a lot to be desired. Thier quality control of thier personnel background checks and IQ testing leave a lot to be desired. And that goes for all races that they've hired. Some of these people are really stupid! Oh and before you follow up posters comment. I was a state police officer and I'm a 25 year US Army Veteran and specialized in countrer terrorism among other things.