Newark "Trespasser" Found, Charged

The guard and Jiang, in the tan jacket

The man who caused major delays at Newark Airport this past Sunday after being spotted by a bystander ducking under some ropes, to be with his lady friend, has been captured. 28-year-old Haisong Jiang (a molecular bioscientist-in-training) was taken into custody last night, according to the NY Times. The Port Authority said he is being charged with defiant trespass (he was released earlier today).

Jiang was seen on videotape, released earlier this week, not-so-stealthy slipping under a security rope to meet a woman (who was cleared by security). He was seen leaving the airport 20 minutes later on another camera. At the time the breach occurred Terminal C was placed on lockdown.

Senator Frank Lautenberg made a statement, saying, ''With this arrest, law enforcement will be able to take a closer look into how and why this incident occurred and make sure that it never happens again." However, the Transportation Security Administration worker who allegedly left his post, Ruben Hernandez, is being represented by the American Federation of Government Employees — and a spokesman said that he had just received a commendation for job performance. Let's not forget the TSA also took 80 minutes to call the breach in.

Jiang's roommate at Rutgers told the Post, "He didn't think it's a big deal, so he didn't mention it. We know that he's very excited to have a real woman. His girlfriend is very upset. I think she will be here in two days to face this with him."

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By Jen Carlson in News on January 9, 2010 9:31 AM

Comments [rss]

S.K.

The Daily News fails to report how exactly, the grainy guy from the security camera was fingered and arrested.

Dwayne Hoover

He's got to be the first person ever marched in front of TV cameras for a misdemeanor trespassing charge. What a bunch of crap. More Kabuki-Theatre security!

just saying

Tell that to the families of the passengers on UA Flight 93 that departed Newark Airport on 9/11. I doubt they share your attitude regarding breaches of airport security.

just saying

It's important to point out that prior to the actual breach, the same TSA guard gave Jiang a warning to stay out of the secure area with which Jiang complied. However, Jiang later sneaked back under the rope when he noticed that the guard wasn't watching. HE WAS PREVIOUSLY ORDERED BY THE TSA GUARD TO STAY OUT OF THE SECURE AREA, BUT JIANG CHOOSE TO ARROGANTLY DEFY THE ORDER AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY.

So, yeah, he's a dismissive moron who deserves a stiff fine and jail time for all the trouble he caused.

Spirit of 76

Considering where he came from, you would think he'd know better. In China, they would have hauled him off and he'd never be seen or heard from again. But he's probably gotten used to the much greater freedom afforded in this country after having been here for five years.

just saying

Well, Jiang obviously thought he could away with it (even though the TSA guard had warned him).

But I have to add that the TSA was practically criminally negligent in their vigilance. The TSA really had no clue that their cameras weren't working? What a slipshod operation!

Abbott

Fuck this guy. He's not some kid. He's 28 years old. Anyone with half a brain would know that doing what he did would be a very big deal. It was selfish and thousands of people suffered because he wanted an extra 20 minutes with his girlfriend. I hope they make an example of him.

Spirit of 76

On the bright side, I doubt he's going to get any kind of job in LA as he planned. Any company big enough to need a molecular bioscience major will have a real human resources department, and they'll run a full background check on his name. Even before that, just Googling "Haisong Jiang" will raise red flags. Nobody will want to hire someone who has proven that he can't follow security protocols.

Stewart

well put.

NannyState

Of course the girl has to dump him since he's unlucky and unsuccessful.

Snoopy

"a molecular bioscientist-in-training"

Is that like a guy that works for an exterminating company but is not allowed near the chemicals until he joins the union?

verbal

The guy is a dumbass, and new pussy will make you do that. He should get a fine. Now the TSA will cover the agent's ass and claim he was called away from his post, but it is clearly their fault for allowing the checkpoint to be um-manned and open to breach.

We're getting very good at pinpointing the fuckups and saying they will be fixed, until the next oversight results in 300 bodies strewn across a cornfield amongst the burning remnants of a jet.

Profiling and a safe flier program will cut down the whole mess.

Spirit of 76

"He didn't think it's a big deal, so he didn't mention it."

Yeah, that must be why he said, "You got me," when the cops showed up. If it's not a big deal, go ahead and turn yourself in. Only somebody who hopes they'll never find him will stay home knowing he has caused serious inconvenience and untold financial problems for thousands. How many people missed appointments or had vacations shortened because he was horny?

Mordicai

Whatever, I'm on this guy's side. He just cut in line to see his girlfriend! The guards are the morons who should be blamed; it isn't like this guy was masterminding some malicious entry. Heck, I've ducked under ropes in my day.

Jen S

Seriously. Hope they don't throw the book at him.

whitecastlerock

In light of the timely apprehension of this person, I wonder how many unsolved homicides, rapes, burglaries, auto thefts, and other felonious misdeeds there are for the city of Newark...