TSA Agent in LAX Threat Previously in Public Spat

Federal authorities arrested an ex-TSA employee just before midnight last night, on suspicion that he'd made terrorist threats against Los Angeles International Airport. Nna Alpha Onuoha, 29, resigned his post as a screener yesterday, the LA Times reports, leaving behind a "suspicious package." That package turned out to be harmless, containing only an eight-page letter complaining about a recent suspension. But later that day he allegedly called the TSA and told them to evacuate certain LAX terminals. Police did so, but found no threat.

Federal authorities then searched Onuoha's apartment and found a note taped in his closet with what an FBI spokesperson called "an unspecified threat citing the 9/11/13 anniversary." They then arrested Onuoha. So what was Onuoha originally suspended over? A source tells the Times that Onuoha was the agent suspended in June for berating a 15-year-old flier over her clothing—a 15-year-old who happened to be the daughter of BoingBoing founder Mark Frauenfelder. "You're only 15, COVER YOURSELF!" Frauenfelder quoted the agent as saying. The TSA issued an apology and promised to review the incident. (More terror threat stories.)