TSA Officer Gets 21 Months for Airport Drug Smuggling

OAKLAND, CA – A betrayal of the public trust landed Kiana Scott Clark, 29, of Oakland, 21 months in federal prison. The former Transportation Security Officer (TSA) admitted to a conspiracy that allowed drug smugglers to bypass airport security with nearly 11 kilograms of marijuana, according to federal prosecutors.

Clark, sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar, pleaded guilty in June 2016 to one count of conspiring to defraud the United States and one count of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance. The scheme, carried out between 2013 and 2015, involved Clark intentionally failing to properly screen carry-on baggage belonging to her co-conspirators at Oakland International Airport. On April 16, 2015, she specifically directed them to a security lane where she was stationed, ensuring the contraband cleared security without detection.

The Department of Justice stated that Clark abused her “official, public, and sensitive position” to facilitate the smuggling operation. The 10.9 kilograms of marijuana successfully transported on that single occasion was just one instance of her corrupt behavior. Prosecutors detailed that Clark repeatedly engaged in this conduct over a two-year period, effectively turning a blind eye to illegal activity in exchange for an undisclosed benefit.

U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch didn’t mince words, stating, “Congress created the TSA…to ensure the security of aircraft and airports… In this case, through her deception and dishonesty, Clark corruptly and repeatedly violated this oath.” He emphasized the severity of her betrayal, not only of the public but also of her fellow TSA officers dedicated to maintaining aviation safety. The case underscores a chilling vulnerability within the very system designed to protect travelers.

Clark was initially indicted by a federal grand jury on December 15, 2015, facing two counts each of conspiring to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371) and conspiring to distribute a controlled substance (21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841). In addition to the 21-month prison sentence, Judge Tigar also imposed a three-year period of supervised release following her incarceration. Clark will begin serving her sentence on April 7, 2017.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, TSA Office of Inspection, Investigations Division, City of Tracy Police Department, and San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office. The Special Prosecutions and National Security Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office handled the prosecution, signaling a continued commitment to rooting out corruption within federal agencies and safeguarding the nation’s transportation infrastructure.

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