Former Customs Agent At BWI Violated Security Rules, Sentenced

A former customs officer assigned to Baltimore Washington International Airport used his security credentials to board dozens of flights he took on his personal time in violation of security regulations.

A federal judge on Monday sentenced former Customs and Border Protection officer Supreme Jones, 32, of Atlanta, and formerly of Maryland, to five years’ probation after Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of entering an aircraft or airport security area in violation of security requirements. As a result of his federal conviction, at least during his five-year probation period, Jones will not be able to work in law enforcement, according to the U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland.

According to court documents, from 2018 through 2022, Jones was an armed CBP officer assigned as a uniformed officer at BWI Airport. He was issued credentials authorizing him to go into any area of BWI, including the areas beyond the Transportation Security Administration security checkpoints, for his official duties.

In June 2021, the FBI began investigating complaints that Jones was abusing his authority by using his credential to enter secure areas when flying for personal travel. According to court records, during a 14-month period Jones made more than 60 flights, either going from or returning to BWI. The FBI discovered that Jones was often entering the sterile area of BWI via the controlled exit portals when in civilian clothing by displaying his badge to the TSA Officer or TSO on duty at the exit.

Although a number of trips raised suspicions about Jones’ conduct, two itineraries in particular drew scrutiny, authorities said. On Feb. 21, 2022, Jones flew from BWI to Atlanta and did not declare he was armed on the flight. While in civilian clothes, he used his badge to enter the security area to reach the departure gate inside the airport. At the gate, Jones talked with the airline personnel, appeared to display a previously unseen limp and obtained a special needs boarding pass from the airline, enabling him priority boarding of the aircraft.