FAA REVOKES DRUG DEALER'S JOB CLEARANCE

Southwest Airlines Plans A Hearing For Baggage Handler Who Pleaded Guilty
To Selling Cocaine To A Courier Who Traveled Through Ontario International
Airport.

ONTARIO -- The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday ordered Ontario
International Airport to revoke the security clearance of a convicted drug
dealer working as a baggage handler for Southwest Airlines, which took
steps to suspend the man from his job.

The loss of his security badge means that Christopher Cheeks, 40, will no
longer have unescorted access around the airport and be unable to work as a
baggage handler, FAA spokesman Mike Fergus said.

"It only makes sense when you are dealing with a baggage handler who has
been trafficking in drugs," Fergus said. "Bags can be used as a prime
method of conveyance." Southwest Airlines, meanwhile, announced Thursday it
is drafting a letter to suspend Cheeks with pay, pending a review that
could ultimately lead to his firing, said airline spokeswoman Linda Rutherford.

Neither Cheeks nor his lawyer could be reached for comment Thursday.

The FAA involvement follows a report Thursday in Inland Valley Times that
Cheeks, who was arrested Dec. 4, had continued to work as a baggage handler
at the airport since his guilty plea on April 4.

Cheeks pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession with intent to
distribute cocaine. He was accused of selling almost 11 pounds of cocaine
for $40,000 while off duty to a courier from Chicago who traveled through
the airport. Cheeks is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 24.

An affidavit of the criminal complaint filed against Cheeks quoted the
courier, Kenyetta Isom, as telling investigators that she carried drugs
five to six times through Ontario International Airport. Each time she was
instructed to contact Cheeks, and she said she brought as much as $85,000
during one trip and that she had marijuana and cocaine, according to the
affidavit.

On Wednesday, Capt. John Bangs, the airport police chief, said he had no
authority under FAA rules to revoke Cheeks' security clearance, which
allowed him access to planes and baggage areas. Bangs said he welcomed the
FAA's intervention.

"I think it is an appropriate measure," Bangs said. "This is pure
speculation, but if you have an individual who has transported narcotics,
it would not be impossible that they would try it again on somebody else's
baggage or place it on the aircraft."

Fergus said airport police misinterpreted FAA policy on the question of
blocking Cheeks' access. He said the rules allow those convicted of drug
crimes to have their badges revoked.

Bangs said Cheeks reported to work Thursday morning but went home after
saying he was sick. Airport police were sent Thursday afternoon to look for
Cheeks and take his badge, although his computer access had already been
blocked, Bangs said.

The FAA wants the badge retrieved so Cheeks would not be able to flash it
to airport employees to gain access, Fergus said. Cheeks is still eligible
to have an office job or other position that would not involve security
access or handling baggage, Fergus said.

"It is up to them if they want to keep the employee," Fergus said.

Rutherford said the airline was aware of Cheeks' arrest on the drug
trafficking charges but was just notified of his conviction. She said the
company must follow union rules in its handling of employees and it often
takes action when it has information such as a conviction in court.

"We operate much like a court of law where people are innocent until proven
guilty," Rutherford said.

A suspension notice will be sent to Cheeks and a hearing set to determine
whether he should be fired, Rutherford said. Southwest Airlines has rules
of conduct for employees that cover their behavior outside of work.
Behavior considered detrimental to the company is cause for firing, she said.

FAA rules require the airline to notify the airport once it learns of the
drug conviction, and the airport is then required to notify the FAA, Fergus
said. He said he doesn't expect any citations.

Bangs said the airport didn't learn that Cheeks had pleaded guilty until a
sentencing hearing was postponed on Monday. He said he attributed the lack
of information to the death earlier this year of Drug Enforcement
Administration Agent Joe Nelson, who was killed in a auto crash. Nelson
would have been the person to promptly notify the airport police, Bangs said.

According to the affidavit, Isom flew into Ontario on Southwest Airlines on
June 1, 2000, and met with Cheeks at the Ontario Best Western motel. She
left the motel with a suitcase and Cheeks watched her walk into the airport
terminal, the affidavit said.

Isom was arrested by authorities when she landed in Chicago, the affidavit
said.

During a search of Cheeks' Ontario home, federal agents found a heat
sealer, empty plastic bags, 5-gallon buckets and a scale, according to
Cheeks' plea agreement.

Cheeks could be sentenced to a minimum of five years and 10 months in
federal prison or as long as 13 years, according to the plea agreement.