Rochester Man Arrested For Lying On Application For TSA Secure Airport ID

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Darnell Jerome, 20, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a false statement. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant applied for employment at a restaurant at the Greater Rochester International Airport. The restaurant was located in the sterile area of the airport, beyond the security screening zone. Employees of the airport or contractors who work in the restaurants or stores inside the sterile area are required to obtain a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge and pass a federal background investigation.

In March 2016, Jerome filled out the application paperwork, including the SIDA badge application forms, and falsely reported that he had never been arrested. However, Jerome was convicted of a felony, Robbery, in Monroe County and sentenced to probation. The defendant’s conviction occurred approximately a month before his false statement on the SIDA badge application form.  

Jerome made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and is due back for a status hearing on September 12, 2016 at 9:00 a.m.

The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Air Marshal Service, under the direction of Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge William Hall, and in cooperation with the Monroe County NY Probation Office and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.          

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.