Arizona woman sentenced for assaulting TSA officer at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Thursday, November 14, 2024

On April 25, 2023, a Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) TSA officer was carrying passenger Ma 'Kiah Cherae Coleman's property to an inspection table for an additional search when Coleman became unruly.

"After being told that it (her bag) had to be checked, the passenger jumped onto the search table and attempted to pull the bin away from the officers," said Lead Officer Alexander Deutsch.

Ma 'Kiah Cherae Coleman (left) on top of a PHX stainless steel search table. (PHX CCTV)

After an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve her property, Coleman physically assaulted multiple TSA officers before airport police arrested her. Two TSA officers were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, released and reported back to duty the same day.

In June 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a press release announcing Coleman's federal indictment in the District of Arizona and explained why Deutsch's first day as lead officer at PHX was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

"The indictment alleges that, at approximately 6:00 a.m. on April 25, 2023, at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona, Coleman interfered with TSA officers who were conducting security screenings at Security Checkpoint D of Terminal 4. The indictment further alleges that during her interference with TSA officers, Coleman inflicted bodily injury on two TSA officers; specifically, she grabbed one officer by the hair, forcing the officer's head down against a table, and hitting the officer in the head multiple times, and elbowed the other TSA officer in the head. Coleman also is alleged to have bit the hair of a third TSA officer who had come to the aid of the other two officers who were struggling with Coleman during the altercation."

On April 23, 2024, Coleman pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer, inflicting bodily injury and was sentenced in September to four months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. She is also banned from traveling by commercial aircraft during her time of supervised release.

"Every assault on an officer is an affront to the hard work they do every single day to protect the traveling public," said PHX Federal Security Director Jerry Agnew. "Assaults are quickly addressed with the help of our airport law enforcement and attorneys to prosecute these cases."

Ma 'Kiah Cherae Coleman sits on a bench as police handcuff her. (PHX CCTV)

TSA takes a zero-tolerance approach to assaults against any TSA employee. Since 2021, 472 total assault cases were reported, with 161 occurring in fiscal 2024. Of those this past year, 44 were tried criminally and eight are closed, with the bulk of the cases at the state or local level. TSA works closely with law enforcement and prosecutors to assist in producing evidence and witnesses in criminal cases.

An injured TSA Officer fell to the ground after the assault. (PHX CCTV)

"During the sentencing hearing, the judge expressed appreciation for Lead Officer Deutsch's victim-impact statement and acknowledged TSA's vital role in safeguarding the nation's transportation systems," said Kalah Polk, TSA Attorney-Advisor, Field Operations. "He noted the frequent mistreatment faced by officers from passengers and recognized the critical function the TSA serves in ensuring the safety of travelers. The judge conveyed the substantial responsibility he holds in balancing the necessity of imposing a penalty on Ms. Coleman for the assault on our officer with the consideration of her mental health."

"For the purposes of TSA issuing a civil penalty, 'assault' refers to an instance of an individual making physical contact with a TSA employee in the course of the TSA employee's screening duties, and that physical contact is offensive or otherwise without legal justification," explained TSA Senior Counsel, Field Operations Joanna Han.

"Regardless of whether there is a criminal prosecution, TSA will pursue a civil enforcement action for nearly every case - no matter the level of injury," said Han. "It is really important that the affected officer report the assault so that transportation security inspectors can conduct an administrative investigation in a timely and thorough manner. From there, TSA attorneys in the field will take the assault case through the civil enforcement process and may pursue monetary penalties." Han stressed that an intent to injure or cause physical pain is not required, nor is an actual physical injury required to pursue a civil enforcement case.

TSA initiated 433 civil enforcement cases since 2021, with 139 of those this past fiscal year. A total of $ 738,986.50 of enforcement fines have been collected from those cases since 2021.

"I absolutely believe every one of these cases should be quickly and appropriately addressed," said Agnew.

By Karen Robicheaux, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs