A California man has been federally charged after allegedly assaulting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and a Dallas police officer during a violent incident at Dallas Love Field Airport.
Idress Vinay Solomon, 33, of Oakland, California, faces a federal charge of forcibly assaulting a federal officer following a March 10 incident at the airport security checkpoint, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Federal prosecutors allege Solomon approached the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint without identification while attempting to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Oakland International Airport.
TSA officers directed Solomon to a separate lane so they could attempt to verify his identity through the agency’s ConfirmID process. When the system failed to confirm his identity, Solomon allegedly became verbally disruptive and aggressive, prosecutors said.
According to a federal complaint, Solomon allegedly punched a TSA officer in the back of the neck after the officer called for a supervisor due to Solomon’s escalating behavior.
Dallas Police Department officers stationed in the airport’s main lobby responded to the disturbance to assist TSA personnel.
Solomon then allegedly punched a Dallas police officer multiple times in the face, causing what prosecutors described as a serious orbital blowout fracture to the officer’s left eye. The officer later sought treatment from an ophthalmologist at Parkland Hospital.
Authorities say Solomon then punched a second TSA officer multiple times before additional Dallas police officers subdued and arrested him. Surveillance video from Dallas Love Field reportedly captured the alleged assaults.
While being placed into a patrol vehicle, Solomon allegedly spat on a Dallas police officer’s arm, according to the complaint. Prosecutors say he also refused lawful commands and continued yelling and pulling away from officers even after being handcuffed.
“Violent conduct perpetrated against TSA and law enforcement officers will never be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said in the release.
“We will prosecute such offenses to the fullest extent to seek justice for the victims here and to deter others from resorting to aggressive attacks against officers responsible for ensuring the public’s safety while traveling.”
If convicted, Solomon faces up to 20 years in federal prison for forcibly assaulting a federal officer and causing bodily injury.
The Transportation Security Administration, the FBI, and the Dallas Police Department investigated the incident. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas is prosecuting the case.
Federal prosecutors noted that the criminal complaint contains allegations only. Solomon is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.