Georgia man pleads to assaulting TSA officer at Eastern Iowa Airport

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Georgia man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to interfering with airport security when he was stopped for a luggage search and then fled and punched a female officer when drugs and nearly $38,000 cash was found.

Andre Burns, 38, of Atlanta, Ga., pleaded guilty to one count of interference with airport security. He is accused of assaulting a Transportation Security Administration officer and interfering with her job duties after a “suspicious package” was tagged at an Eastern Iowa Airport security checkpoint, according to court documents. Burns was directed to a secondary security location.

When officers inspected his luggage, they discovered an envelope containing the large quantity of cash and marijuana in his bag, according to court documents filed last year.

Burns then fled, going through the exit lane of the screening area, and punched TSA officer Yolanda Mendoza when she tried to detain him, according to state and federal court documents. He was caught after a short foot chase. Prosecutors have video footage that shows which officers were present during the incident and assault, and what duties they were performing at the time.

Mendoza was working in the exit lane of the checkpoint, and other officers were working at the X-ray and security screening area, which had to be shut down as a result of Burns’ assault on the officer.

Court documents state Mendoza resumed working but stopped after 15 to 20 minutes because she felt bad and went to the hospital. She had a contusion of her abdominal wall.

Burns, during the plea, admitted to interfering with the duties of an officer and assaulting Mendoza.

U.S. District Magistrate Judge Mark Roberts said there wasn’t a plea agreement in this case, and Burns faces up to 10 years, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release following any prison term.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Morfitt, during the hearing, said the prosecution isn’t seeking detention, which means Burns will remain free without bond pending sentencing.

Roberts told Burns that this charge isn’t common, so he didn’t know if Burns faces other consequences of the plea, such as a ban on flying in the future because he has been convicted of assaulting an airport security officer.

Sentencing will be set after a presentencing investigation is completed.

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