Federal Bureau of Investigation - Albany Field Division - Press Release

The United States Attorney's Office
Northern District of New York

November 21, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

Glenn T. Suddaby, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, John F. Pikus, Special-Agent-in-Charge of the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and James L. Campbell, Albany County Sheriff, announced that WILLIAM CONTRERAS RAMOS, 20, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, pled guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge David R. Homer to the misdemeanor charge of Entering an Aircraft and Airport Area in violation of Security Requirements in violation of Title 49, United States Code, Section 46314.

On October 30, 2007, RAMOS, a resident of Puerto Rico, flew on Delta Airlines from San Juan, Puerto Rico to JFK Airport. While waiting at JFK for his flight to Albany International Airport, RAMOS left the sterile area to smoke a cigarette. When RAMOS tried to get back into the sterile area, he realized that he did not have his boarding pass or wallet and therefore would not be admitted to the security screening area. RAMOS then went the wrong way through a one-way door for passengers departing the sterile area, ignored a guard who tried to stop him, and boarded his flight to Albany. During the flight, RAMOS had a bag which was accessible to him with a folded straight razor; this bag was not with him when he left the sterile area.

RAMOS faces a maximum potential penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. RAMOS was released until his sentencing on January 23, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge David R. Homer in Albany, New York.

The investigation is being conducted by the Albany Joint Terrorism Task Force ("JTTF") with assistance from the Albany County Sheriff's Office, TSA, and New York JTTF.
Inquiries may be directed to Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth C. Coombe at (518) 431-0247.