A Glendale woman, after an altercation with a TSA agent at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, has been sentenced to four months in prison. Ma’Kiah Cherae Coleman, age 20, was handed the sentence last week, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. The incident, which took place on April 25, 2023, involved Coleman attacking a federal officer, according to the United States Attorney's Office in Arizona.
Coleman had pled guilty to the charge of Assault on a Federal Officer Inflicting Bodily Injury on April 23, 2024. During the attack, which resulted in the agent's head being forced down against a table at a baggage screening area, Coleman had to be restrained by other TSA agents. The incident led to the temporary suspension of operations at a security checkpoint while law enforcement responded to the scene, resulting in a disruption of the usual airport safety procedures.
As part of her sentencing, in addition to prison time, Coleman has been prohibited from traveling on commercial aircraft for the duration of her supervised release. This decision reflects the severity of the offense against TSA personnel, who serve as the nation's front-line defense in the protection of our transportation systems.
The Transportation Security Administration, alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Phoenix Police Department, conducted a thorough investigation into Coleman's assault. These agencies work tirelessly to ensure that those who compromise the safety and security of air travel face the appropriate consequences, as emphasized by the outcome of this case. The prosecution was managed by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
