LOUISVILLE, KY—An Orange Park, Florida man residing in Louisville, was arrested yesterday at Louisville International Airport and charged by criminal complaint with Resisting, Opposing, Impeding, and Obstructing a Federal Officer or Employee in the course of their duties, and one count of Entering Airport Area in Violation of Security Requirements announced U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr.

According to the complaint, at approximately 2:20 p.m. yesterday, David Harold Patton, age 36, allegedly fled from a checkpoint screening area and into a sterile area (the terminals) causing a security breach. He was immediately apprehended and arrested by Louisville Regional Airport Authority Public Safety Officers (LRAAPSO).

Specifically, Patton was issued a gate pass in order to escort his grandmother to her flight gate. During the screening process by Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) security personnel, Patton was asked to remove items from his pocket. At this point, TSA security personnel report that Patton ran from the screening area. He was stopped by the LRAAPSO and escorted out of the gate area.

Further, at the checkpoint, a TSA security screener allegedly witnessed Patton consume an item and discard another before fleeing. LRAAPSO immediately obtained the discarded item and discovered a small package of what was later identified as heroin. During a subsequent FBI interview, Patton allegedly admitted that he attempted to leave the check point before passing through the scanner because he knew he had drugs in his pocket. Patton has been charged in state court with Possession of Heroin along with other related charges, and is being held in custody at the Louisville Metropolitan Corrections facilities.

A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Patton and he will appear before a United States Magistrate Judge once his state court charges have been resolved.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel P. Kinnicutt and is being investigated by the FBI and TSA.