From Deseret News archives:
Traveler at airport is charged
Man is accused of posing as diplomat to avoid a 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."
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
