TSA Is Suing to Shut Me Up
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As a frequent traveler, I go through the TSA security checkpoints many times a year. During one such time, a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) sexually molested me while his colleagues cracked lewd jokes. I was so stunned by what was happening to me, that I couldn't do or say anything. I simply froze. The experience left me feeling violated and humiliated.
Wishing to avoid being sexually molested again, I began asking every TSO giving me the pat-down, about their sexual orientation. Depending on the answer, I would either consent to the patdown or request a different screener. Sometimes the TSO would call the supervisor and the patdown would proceed with the supervisor monitoring it. This went on for about five years, and I asked the question literally dozens of times.
Then on September 11, 2018, I entered the TSA checkpoint at the Spokane International Airport on my way to Chicago. Nothing seemed unusual or out of the ordinary. I followed the TSO Brandon Carvazos-Cavasier to the screening area, received the standard pat-down advisement, and when Carvazos-Cavasier asked me if I had any questions, I asked him whether he is a homosexual.
Instead of answering the question, the TSO decided to escalate, and called for a supervisor. Supervisory TSOs Kathy Moulton and Ty Madison came over, and I explained that I ask the question because I do not wish to have a guy who is sexually attracted to men to put his hands down my pants. I asked why female TSOs aren’t patting down male passengers, and did not receive a coherent answer.
STSO Madison then called Spokane Airport Police Officer Clay Creek, who in threatening tones told me that it's not the TSO's job to answer questions, and that "it's got nothing to do" with my constitutional rights. I explained that I agree to receive the patdown, if the TSO is not a homosexual. Madison replied that (1) I must complete the patdown to board, and (2) that it MUST be the same TSO. I asked for a different TSO, but my request got denied. Officer Creek then told me to gather my stuff, followed me out of the secure area, and told me that I will not be allowed to go through the checkpoint again to board my flight.
In October of 2018, the TSA sent me a “Letter of Investigation”, threatening me with a Civil Penalty of “up to $13,066 per violation”. In May, the TSA Field Counsel Susan Conn followed through with a “Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty” in the amount of $2,000.
The TSA accuses me of “interfering with the screening duties”. However, I’ve done nothing to physically “interfere” with the patdown; in fact, I’ve remained completely calm and compliant throughtout the process. Therefore, it is clear that the TSA is punishing me for my speech -- a right protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Paying the penalty would amount to admitting guilt and set a bad precedent. Instead, I have decided to fight the charges and hired attorneys Marshall Casey and Chris Hogue to file an appeal on my behalf.
If you wish to help me make a stand against the tyrannical TSA by covering a portion of the legal costs, I would really appreciate your donation!
Wishing to avoid being sexually molested again, I began asking every TSO giving me the pat-down, about their sexual orientation. Depending on the answer, I would either consent to the patdown or request a different screener. Sometimes the TSO would call the supervisor and the patdown would proceed with the supervisor monitoring it. This went on for about five years, and I asked the question literally dozens of times.
Then on September 11, 2018, I entered the TSA checkpoint at the Spokane International Airport on my way to Chicago. Nothing seemed unusual or out of the ordinary. I followed the TSO Brandon Carvazos-Cavasier to the screening area, received the standard pat-down advisement, and when Carvazos-Cavasier asked me if I had any questions, I asked him whether he is a homosexual.
Instead of answering the question, the TSO decided to escalate, and called for a supervisor. Supervisory TSOs Kathy Moulton and Ty Madison came over, and I explained that I ask the question because I do not wish to have a guy who is sexually attracted to men to put his hands down my pants. I asked why female TSOs aren’t patting down male passengers, and did not receive a coherent answer.
STSO Madison then called Spokane Airport Police Officer Clay Creek, who in threatening tones told me that it's not the TSO's job to answer questions, and that "it's got nothing to do" with my constitutional rights. I explained that I agree to receive the patdown, if the TSO is not a homosexual. Madison replied that (1) I must complete the patdown to board, and (2) that it MUST be the same TSO. I asked for a different TSO, but my request got denied. Officer Creek then told me to gather my stuff, followed me out of the secure area, and told me that I will not be allowed to go through the checkpoint again to board my flight.
In October of 2018, the TSA sent me a “Letter of Investigation”, threatening me with a Civil Penalty of “up to $13,066 per violation”. In May, the TSA Field Counsel Susan Conn followed through with a “Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty” in the amount of $2,000.
The TSA accuses me of “interfering with the screening duties”. However, I’ve done nothing to physically “interfere” with the patdown; in fact, I’ve remained completely calm and compliant throughtout the process. Therefore, it is clear that the TSA is punishing me for my speech -- a right protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Paying the penalty would amount to admitting guilt and set a bad precedent. Instead, I have decided to fight the charges and hired attorneys Marshall Casey and Chris Hogue to file an appeal on my behalf.
If you wish to help me make a stand against the tyrannical TSA by covering a portion of the legal costs, I would really appreciate your donation!
Organizer
Vitaliy Maksimov
Organizer
Airway Heights, WA