From Deseret News archives:

Traveler at airport is charged

Man is accused of posing as diplomat to avoid a search

Published: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006 9:03 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
A Kaysville man is facing a federal charge after federal airport security officials say he tried to pose as a U.S. ambassador or diplomat to get out of a security search.

Jon Telford McBride has been charged with one count of unlawful use of likeness of the great seal of the United States stemming from an incident at the Salt Lake City International Airport in October.

According to the complaint filed Wednesday, McBride was pulled aside for a standard screening procedure after his carry-on bag generated an alarm. During the search McBride reportedly asked a Transportation Security officer, "Are you a homosexual?"

The officer said he was not and called over a lead security officer and a supervisor, according to the complaint. McBride then allegedly asked another male security officer if he was a homosexual. When asked if he was refusing screening, McBride said he would allow a female officer to pat him down but was told that was not an option, the complaint states.

At that point, McBride reportedly told officers that he was not required to comply with the screening and produced a leather case with a bold badge bearing the image of the "Great Seal of the United States" with the inscription "ambassador/diplomat."

Story continues below
Airport officers say McBride also produced an ID card bearing the U.S. seal, a photo of McBride and designating him as "Ambassador Jon Telford McBride." When asked to produce a driver's license, McBride instead produced a valid Utah concealed weapons permit.

A background check revealed that McBride was not employed by the U.S. Department of State but was allowed to move on to his flight after consenting to a search. An officer confiscated the identification.


E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

Gifts for gamers

There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.

Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet

Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...

Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...

The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...

BCS stable at top, Y. up to 14

TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...

Jazz win 6th in 7 games

could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...

Notre Dame fires Weis

Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...

I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...

Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal

quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.

Understanding translation process

I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...

Advertisements