A former employee at Philadelphia International Airport has been sentenced in federal court after admitting he helped another man bypass TSA security, a breach that raised serious concerns about airport safety.
Tiriq Henson, 34, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to nine days in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for his role in allowing an unauthorized individual to enter a secure area of the airport without screening. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Gail A. Weilheimer.
According to court records, Henson worked as a wheelchair assistant for a third-party passenger assistance company at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), a position he had held since 2014. His job granted him access to restricted airport areas using an official security badge — access prosecutors say he abused.
What Led To The TSA Lapse At the Philadelphia International Airport
In early 2024, Henson agreed to let an acquaintance, 39-year-old David Easley of Georgia, use his airport ID badge to bypass TSA screening entirely. In exchange, Henson was paid $50 in cash.
Easley, a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, had booked a flight from Philadelphia to Atlanta but wanted to avoid TSA checkpoints. Authorities say Easley was attempting to smuggle six bottles of promethazine, a prescription cough syrup containing codeine that is often abused recreationally and known on the street as “lean” or “purple drank.” Prosecutors noted that the quantity Easley carried could have been worth thousands of dollars on the black market.
Using Henson’s credentials, Easley accessed a restricted corridor that connects the public check-in area of the airport to the secure departures concourse. However, his plan unraveled when he encountered TSA agents conducting random security checks near the final access point. Easley attempted to flee but was quickly detained.
When apprehended, Easley was still in possession of Henson’s airport ID badge. He later admitted to paying Henson for its use.
Both men initially faced potential sentences of up to 10 years in prison. Easley pleaded guilty in July 2024 and ultimately avoided incarceration, receiving 26 months of supervised release that includes two months of home detention. Prosecutors had argued for jail time, citing Easley’s criminal past and what they described as a lack of remorse.
Henson also pleaded guilty, admitting to one count of entering an airport area in violation of security requirements. His attorneys asked for probation, emphasizing that he is a father with no prior criminal record and had expressed deep shame over his actions. The court ultimately imposed a brief custodial sentence, followed by supervised release.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Transportation Security Administration and the Philadelphia Police Department, and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Federal officials say the case underscores how even small acts of misconduct by airport workers can create significant security risks.
