TSA Implementing New Enhanced Threat Detection Capability at Checkpoints Nationwide

/PRNewswire/ -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today it is further bolstering existing explosives detection capabilities by deploying additional tools to screen powdered substances at checkpoints.

"Every day, TSA officers work at over 450 airports nationwide screening approximately 2 million passengers to keep the traveling public safe," said TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides. "These enhancements are part of TSA's efforts to stay ahead of emerging threats while continually strengthening our layered approach to security."

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) are experienced in identifying items that may pose a threat to transportation security utilizing explosives detection tools. TSA knows certain powders could be used in improvised explosive devices. While there is no specific threat at this time, TSA is deploying powder explosives detection kits to airports around the country to enhance our existing explosives detection capabilities and further strengthen our layers of security. TSA piloted these kits in late 2008.

Passengers should know that while common powders are not prohibited, a small percentage may require additional screening. Typical security checkpoint procedures will remain the same. The vast majority of commonly carried powders, like most medication, infant formula and makeup, are unlikely to need further screening.

Officers will use X-ray technology to determine which substances may require additional screening with a powder test kit. If the substance does require additional screening, officers will use a powder test kit to collect a small sample and apply a solution to it to test for traces of potential explosives. If a particular powder is determined to be a potential threat, it will not be permitted into the secure area or checked baggage.

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Federal Grand Jury Returns 65-Count Indictment Against Man for Sending Threatening White-Powder-Laced Hoax Letters to Banks

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A federal grand jury in Amarillo, Texas, today returned an indictment charging Richard Goyette, a/k/a Michael Jurek, 47, with one count of threats and false information and 64 counts of threats and hoaxes, announced acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

Goyette has been in federal custody since his arrest on Feb. 2, 2009, on a charge outlined in a federal criminal complaint related to his mailing 65 threatening letters to financial institutions from Amarillo in October 2008.

The indictment alleges that on Oct. 18, 2008, Goyette mailed a letter to the attention of Jamie Dimon at JP Morgan Chase & Company, at 270 Park Avenue in New York, which contained threats of bombing and killing people at the JP Morgan Chase & Company's corporate headquarters within six months. The criminal complaint filed in the case stated that the language in this letter included the threat of the "McVeighing of your corporate headquarters within six months." The letter also threatened to "utilize any strategy and tactic to inflict financial damage to your company."

The indictment further alleges that Goyette mailed 64 letters to 52 locations of Chase Bank; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) offices in Arlington, Va., Washington, D.C., and Dallas; and Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) offices in Chicago, Daly City, Calif., Jersey City, N.J., Washington, D.C., and Irving, Texas. Each of these letters contained an unknown white powder and the threat that the person breathing the powder would die within 10 days.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.

The threats and false information count carries a potential maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and each of the 64 threats and hoaxes counts carry a potential maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

If convicted on all counts, Goyette faces a potential maximum statutory sentence of 330 years in prison and a $16.25 million fine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jacks praised the excellent, cooperative investigative efforts of the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Drake of the Amarillo, Texas, U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting.

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