Agency had gotten earlier complaint
Updated: Wednesday, 28 Mar 2012, 5:30 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 28 Mar 2012, 2:54 PM EDT
BY JOHN HENREHAN/myfoxdc:
SILVER SPRING, Md. - A manager at the Transportation Security Administration has lost his job after being arrested on prostitution-related charges. According to court documents, the agency had received a complaint of "very similar" activities back in 2009.
Bryant Jermaine Livingston, 39, was arrested while on the job as a supervisor of TSA agents at Dulles International Airport. The Manassas, Virginia resident, said by phone he is innocent of the charges, but declined to discuss the details of the case.
According to charging documents, on February 15th, Livingston used cash to rent a room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, Md. The hotel manager recognized Livingston as a previous customer who, on earlier occasions had "groups of males and females frequently entering and exiting Livingston's room," according to a court document.
Similar activity was happening on February 15, so the manager called Montgomery County Police to report likely prostitution. Responding officers offered to accompany the manager as she went to evict the people from the room.
At the doorway, Livingston denied prostitution was occurring, and invited the manager and police into the room.
Responding officers say they saw, "11 people inside the room [including] three naked females and four males attempting to get dressed. Multiple people were laying on the two beds and other people were sitting in chairs and standing in the room."
In a hallway interview, Bryant Livingston told the police officers he "runs the airport security at Dulles," according to the charging document.
A spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration confirmed that Livingston had worked for the agency since Oct. 29, 2002, but he is now "no longer employed by TSA."
In a subsequent interview, one of the men in the room told Montgomery County police that, "he paid Livingston $100 to enter the hotel room to engage in sexual activities." Charging documents also say a TSA investigator told police that, "in 2009, a very similar complaint concerning Livingston was on record. The complaint alleged that Livingston was operating a prostitution ring and charging individuals $25. for sexual acts."
The TSA spokesman had no immediate explanation as to what, if anything, the agency did about the earlier complaint.
Bryant Livingston is facing five prostitution-related charges. His attorney, Jason Cleckner, declined to comment on the case. Livingston has been released on his own recognizance, and faces trial on May 8th.
In Maryland, a person convicted of prostitution can face up to a year in jail.
TSA Statement:
“TSA cooperated fully with law enforcement during their investigation into this matter. The allegations against this individual are unacceptable and in no way reflect the integrity and professionalism of the more than 50,000 security officers who strive every day to ensure the security of the traveling public.”
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