A Transportation Security Administration worker at the Oakland International Airport has been indicted for allegedly conspiring to smuggle marijuana through the airport, federal prosecutors said.
The indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday, also charges 28-year-old Kiana Scott Clark of San Mateo with conspiring to defraud the United States by obstructing, impeding, and interfering with the TSA's aviation security functions, U.S. Attorney's officials said.
According to the indictment, Clark allegedly used her position as a TSA officer to facilitate the smuggling of drugs into and through the Oakland airport for delivery throughout the U.S. Prosecutors said that when Clark's co-conspirators had carry-on baggage containing controlled substances, she operated the X-ray machine at the TSA security checkpoint and permitted her co-conspirators to clear the checkpoint without the required screening of their baggage for explosives, incendiaries, weapons and other security threats.
Clark's criminal conduct is alleged to have taken place from September 2013 through October 2015 and to have involved more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.
Clark was arrested on Wednesday, made her initial appearance in federal court in Oakland on Thursday and was scheduled to return to court Friday. She is being held in custody pending arraignment and appointment of counsel.
Prosecutors said Clark is charged with two counts of conspiring to defraud the U.S. obstructing, impeding, and interfering with the TSA and two counts of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
If Clark is convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of up to 55 years in federal prison and up to $5.7 million in fines.
