Air marshal accused of taking photos under women's skirts
Harris Faulkner reports from New York
A passenger boarding a flight at Nashville International Airport caught a federal air marshal allegedly using his cellphone to take photographs underneath women’s skirts as they boarded a plane, WKRN-TV reported.
"I just reached over with my left hand and grabbed it," Rey Collazo, the passenger, told the station. I "struggled with him a little bit and I got the better part of the phone and twisted and hit him with my right hand between the neck and the shoulder. Shoved him back and I took the phone."
Assistant Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge Michael Pascarella told The Associated Press that Adam Bartsch, 28, the air marshal, was immediately removed from duty and is in the process of being suspended or fired.
"TSA does not tolerate criminal behavior," Pascarella said, adding that the TSA is assisting in the investigation.
Nashville police say Bartsch, who lives with his wife in Maryland, was on duty on Southwest Airline Flight 3132 on Thursday when a witness noticed he was taking the photos and grabbed his cellphone. Police say the witness notified a flight attendant and Bartsch was taken off the flight and charged with disorderly conduct. He reportedly admitted to taking up to 12 pictures up women’s skirts and has done so in the past.
He was released on $10,000 bond and is due in court Nov. 14.
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