Had Not Been Pre-Screened, But Boarding Pass Had Encrypted Barcode Allowing Him To Use The Expedited Process

The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security has released a report detailing a situation in which a convicted felon who was also a former member of a domestic terror group to use the TSA Pre-Check line at a U.S. airport.

The redacted report does not identify the traveler or the airport. According to the report's summary, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) received a whistleblower disclosure alleging a sufficiently notorious convicted felon was improperly cleared for TSA Pre-Check screening, creating a significant aviation security breach.

The disclosure identified this event as a possible error in the TSA Secure Flight program since the traveler’s boarding pass contained a TSA Pre-Check indicator and encrypted barcode. On October 16, 2014, OSC referred this allegation to the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

According to the report, the traveler is a former member of a domestic terrorist group. While a member, the traveler was involved in numerous felonious criminal activities that led to arrest and conviction. After serving a multiple-year sentence, the traveler was released from prison.

The IG determined that the person in question was not granted Pre-Check screening through TSA's application program. It also found that the TSO followed standard operating procedures, but "did not feel empowered to redirect the traveler from TSA Pre-Check screening to standard lane screening." According to the report, "the traveler did not demonstrate physical or verbal signs that would result in action based on the TSO's understanding of articulable belief." The IG's report recommends TSA modify standard operating procedures to clarify TSO and supervisory TSO authority to refer passengers with TSA Pre-Check boarding passes to standard screening lanes when they believe the passenger may be a threat to transportation security.

FMI: Full Redacted Report