Man Without ID Allegedly Assaulted TSA, Police at Dallas Airport

A confrontation at a security checkpoint inside Dallas Love Field Airport has resulted in a California man being taken into federal custody following an alleged assault on airport and law enforcement personnel.

Federal authorities say the incident happened Tuesday when 33-year-old Idress Vinay Solomon of Oakland, California attempted to board a Southwest Airlines flight bound for Oakland. According to a federal criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of Texas, Solomon arrived at the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint without any identification.

TSA officers reportedly directed him to a separate screening area in order to confirm his identity using the agency’s ConfirmID system. Investigators say the verification process was unsuccessful, and Solomon allegedly became increasingly upset and disruptive while officers attempted to resolve the situation.

Prosecutors allege that after a TSA officer requested a supervisor, Solomon struck the officer in the back of the neck. The disturbance prompted Dallas police officers who were in the airport’s main lobby to respond to the checkpoint.

Authorities claim Solomon then assaulted one of the responding officers, striking him in the face several times. The officer suffered a severe orbital blowout fracture to his left eye and required hospital treatment. Officials also say Solomon punched another TSA officer multiple times before additional officers were able to restrain him. Investigators report that the altercation was captured on airport surveillance cameras.

Even after being handcuffed, Solomon allegedly continued to resist. While officers were escorting him to a patrol vehicle, he is accused of spitting on a uniformed officer, shouting, and refusing to comply with commands.

Solomon has been charged with forcibly assaulting a federal officer resulting in bodily injury. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. He remains in custody as the case moves forward.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said violent attacks against TSA agents and law enforcement officers will not be tolerated and that federal prosecutors intend to pursue such cases aggressively.

The investigation involves the TSA, the FBI, and the Dallas Police Department. The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

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