3 Customs Officers Arrested At Newark Airport

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 09/13/17 | News Source: ABC7NY

Three Customs and Border Protection officers have been arrested and charged with assaulting two fellow officers at Newark Liberty International Airport.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Tito Catota, 38, of Newark, New Jersey, Parmenio I. Perez, 40, of Paterson, New Jersey, and Michael A. Papagni, 32, of West Orange, New Jersey, allegedly subjected their own colleagues to "senseless physical abuse, all while on duty."

They are charged with forcibly assaulting, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with two fellow workers.

The three defendants were members of a unit responsible for identifying dangerous contraband and threats to national security.

"This behavior would be abhorrent in any environment, especially one serving a critical law enforcement function," acting to U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick said.

They are scheduled to appear this afternoon in Newark federal court