Flight Attendant Accused Of ID Fraud (CNN c/o WPTZ-FL)

Flight Attendant Accused Of ID Fraud
Authorities: Jophan Porter Arrested In Miami Carrying Multiple Phony IDs

By the CNN Wire Staff
POSTED: 10:22 am EDT June 18, 2011

MIAMI (CNN) -- Federal and local authorities are investigating an apparent airline security breach after an American Eagle Airlines employee allegedly used another man's identity to get a job as a flight attendant.

Jophan Porter, 38, has been charged with six counts of identity theft and three counts of forgery among a lengthy list of other charges, according to the Miami-Dade corrections website.

American Eagle says the incident did not involve a customer and that they are involved in an investigation that includes the FBI, according to a statement from the airline.

When arrested at Miami International Airport on Friday, Porter -- a native of Guyana -- was carrying multiple forms of phony identity, including driver's licenses, a passport and a Department of Transportation identification card, CNN affiliate WSVN reported, citing the arrest report.

The presiding judge raised bail to $1 million after prosecutors described Porter as a flight risk, noting that authorities "don't know who he's connected to."

"We don't really know who he is," the assistant state attorney said. "When you are refusing to identify yourself to the FBI and you're working in an airline, that's a concern."

A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the agency plans to deport Porter, though he would not comment on Porter's residency status or where he will be sent.

"ICE lodged a detainer against him," said Ivan Ortiz-Delgado. "We will begin removal procedures once his criminal proceedings are complete."

But one federal official with knowledge of the case downplayed the severity of the alleged breach.

"An airline ID card does not grant access to secure areas of an airport," the official said, who asked not to be identified.

The official pinned responsibility to check backgrounds of flight attendants on the airlines that hire them, raising questions about the level of federal scrutiny that airline employees experience.

"It is the obligation of the airline to verify each potential employee's identity, employment eligibility including legal status, and to verify that the employee is using valid, legitimate identification," the official said.

Meanwhile, airport traveler Camilla Diaz said she didn't understand how the apparent breach occurred.

"A big company like that -- they have to check that before," she told WSVN.

Others appeared stunned. "Wow that's incredible," Alejandro Hernandez told the network.

Porter is currently being held in Miami-Dade County jail and is represented by a public defender, who could not be immediately reached for comment.