A man who was detained by agents for the Transportation Security Administration for 23 hours in 2013 after asking how to file a complaint is now suing the agency, claiming the arrest was retaliatory.
The traveler, Roger Vanderklok, was making his way through the security screening at the Philadelphia International Airport on January 26, 2013 when he was pulled aside for a more thorough search of the contents in his carry-on luggage.
Vanderklok, a runner and frequent flier who travels both for work and to participate in marathons across the country, was en route to Miami for a half-marathon. In the bag were protein bars and a sports watch wrapped in a small plastic tube, which aroused the suspicions of the agents.
After they rechecked the bags for roughly 30 minutes, Vanderklok was asked if he was carrying any organic matter. Believing organic meant fruits, Vanderklok said no, not realizing protein bars are technically classified as organic matter.
Once the items were cleared, Vanderklok remarked that if an agent had only bothered to explain what they meant by organic the entire ordeal could’ve been avoided. At that point, according to Vanderklok, the supervising agent, Charles Kieser, became confrontational.
Vanderklok then inquired about the process of filing a complaint and shortly thereafter was taken to an airport holding cell while the Philadelphia police — who were called by Kieser — began an investigation. Vanderklok was detained for three hours at the airport before being transferred to the local precinct. At no point was he informed as to why he was arrested.
In fact, Vanderklok never learned that has was being charged with making “terroristic threats” and “threatening the placement of a bomb,” both claims made by Kieser but which Vanderklok denies, until his arraignment at 2 a.m. the following day.
The charges were eventually thrown out by a judge, despite Kieser claiming Vanderklok was agitated and confrontational while making the alleged threats — a claim not supported by surveillance footage.
The lawsuit against the TSA seeking unspecified damages against a retaliatory arrest was filed on January 23, 2015.
