Sweep nets 100-plus arrests at N.Y. airports

JFK, LaGuardia workers accused of using fake IDs for jobs

Officers at John F. Kennedy Airport escort a handcuffed suspect during a security sweep of workers.

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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Federal officials charged at least 118 people Tuesday with using fake Social Security and immigration status cards to obtain jobs that gave them access to high-security areas at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports.

There was no indication of any connection to terrorists, said FBI spokesman Jim Margolin.

Scores of men and women were arrested Tuesday morning on charges that include document fraud, possession of counterfeit Social Security cards and the making of false statements, Margolin said.

Many of the defendants, who worked for private contractors, used fake Social Security numbers as a form of identification to obtain airport security badges.

Those arrested worked at jobs that included housekeeping, food service and baggage handling. Some had access to international flight areas, tarmacs and planes, Margolin said.

The maximum penalties for the charges include 10 years in prison and $250 in fines.

Federal officials charged 21 men Thursday with using fake Social Security and immigration status cards to obtain jobs that gave them access to high-security areas at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

The investigations at Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports have been ongoing since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The probes have involved the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Social Security Administration and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the three airports, officials said.

Spokesman Alan Morrison said last week that the Port Authority strongly advocated more stringent background checks for all airport employees. Morrison said the agency shares responsibility for airport security with the airlines and Federal Aviation Administration.

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