Legal•Info

Airport Employee Arrested on Drug, Weapons Charges

Posted: Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Palm Bay, FL—A security officer who worked at Orlando International Airport was arrested this week on drug and weapons charges.

The man, who is employed by the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration, had allegedly been involved in illegal drug trafficking for a long time.

The home of Timothy Monroe, 41, was targeted by a SWAT team and special investigations agents early Wednesday morning. Monroe was not at home when the search was conducted, but several children, ranging in age from one to sixteen years old, were present. When Monroe arrived home a while later, he was arrested.

The charges include trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of paraphernalia.

Monroe, who worked as a security officer at the Orlando airport, was the subject of a three-month long investigation by authorities, who were originally alerted to his possession of both drugs and weapons by an anonymous tipster.

Agents seized a quantity of contraband at Monroe’s home. The items confiscated include a .410-caliber shotgun, a Kel-Tec pistol, a semiautomatic pistol, and approximately 100 rounds of ammunition for the gun. Agents also seized 40 grams of powder cocaine, 65 grams of marijuana, divided into smaller amounts and packaged in individual baggies as though ready to sell, more than $6,000 in case, some vehicles, and some paraphernalia items, said police.

The Transportation Safety Authority, in conjunction with police, is looking into whether Monroe’s position at the airport was tied to the drug trafficking activity.

Said Yvonne Martinez, Palm Bay Police Department spokesperson, “What he does for a living is enough to raise concern and is something that should be looked into. He’s the last point of security before people get into the air terminal.”

An undercover officer who was involved in the investigation described Monroe, who has lived in the area for many years, as a “mid-level” drug dealer.

Monroe was taken to Brevard County Detention Center. He is being held without bond pending charges and an investigation.

 

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