Las Vegas, Nev. - An arriving passenger who refused to be searched and assaulted a Homeland Security official at McCarran Airport, causing injuries that required medical care, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his guilty plea to interfering with security screening personnel, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

According to the court records, RODNEY SMITH, aka Tori Nickel Smith, age 33, of Las Vegas, arrived at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas on July 24, 2003, on an international flight from Mexico. Upon entering the United States Customs Screening area, SMITH was asked to submit to a physical search by an employee/officer of the United States Immigration and Customs Service (ICE), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security. SMITH refused to be searched and insulted the ICE employees with foul language. SMITH was escorted to a private search area, but despite numerous requests, he repeatedly refused to be searched. SMITH then flailed his hands, knocking a female officer into a wall causing a abrasions and a three-inch cut to her arm. Eventually, with the aid of several employees, SMITH was subdued, and arrested and charged with assaulting and resisting federal officers. As a result of the injuries, the officer required medical care and was unable to perform her official duties.

SMITH, who has been released on bond since the day after the incident, must surrender to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons by July 15, 2005.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karyn Kenny.

Return to Top