According to U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, Darnell Jerome applied for employment at a restaurant at the airport. The restaurant was located in the sterile area of the airport, beyond the security screening zone. Employees of the airport or contractors who work in the restaurants or stores inside the sterile area are required to obtain a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge and pass a federal background investigation.
In March, Jerome filled out the application paperwork, including the SIDA badge application forms, and falsely reported that he had never been arrested. However, Jerome was convicted of a felony robbery in Monroe County and sentenced to probation. The defendant’s conviction occurred approximately a month before his false statement on the SIDA badge application form.
Jerome made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and is due back for a status hearing on Sept. 12.
The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Air Marshal Service, under the direction of Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge William Hall, and in cooperation with the Monroe County NY Probation Office and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
