SWA Baggage Handlers in OAK Caught For Drug Smuggling

Three Southwest Airlines baggage handlers in California are among 14 people in three states charged by federal investigators with smuggling marijuana across the country through airports.
U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag of the Northern District of California on Monday announced the criminal conspiracy charges against 14 people in Arkansas, California and Louisiana.
“Southwest Airlines does not tolerate any behavior or activity that could jeopardize the safety and security of our operation,” said Lori Crabtree, a spokeswoman for the Dallas-based airline. “We are fully cooperating with authorities and will continue to work with law enforcement, airport authorities, and our security partners to perform due diligence in upholding high security standards.”
Crabtree added that the safety of its employees and customers is “a top priority.”
Federal authorities allege the three Southwest baggage handlers who worked at Oakland International Airport used their security badges to smuggle in unscreened baggage filled with marijuana. They claim the conspiracy was operating as early as July 2012.
All three baggage handlers are from the San Francisco area: Kenneth Wayne Fleming, 32, of San Leandro, Calif.; Keith Ramon Mayfield, 34, of Oakland, Calif.; and Michael Herb Videau, 28, of Oakland.
The Southwest employees currently are not working because “they no longer have access to the airport,” Crabtree said. Their employment status is pending until an internal investigation into the allegations is completed, she said.
Federal authorities allege that the baggage handlers entered an employee-only area of the OAK airport carrying baggage containing marijuana and were not required to pass through a Transportation Security Administration security screening checkpoint. The baggage handlers then used their security badges to enter a terminal area for outbound passengers who already passed through security, giving their baggage containing drugs to passengers who took it as carry-on luggage on their flights, according to the charges.
Those co-conspirators included Major Alexander Session III, 24, of Oakland; Clyde Barry Jamerson, 41, of Oakland; Kameron Kordero Eldridge Davis, 26, of Dublin, Calif.; Ronnell Lamar Molton, 34, of Oakland; Francisco Manuel Carrasco, 29, of Hayward, Calif.; Sophia Cherise West, 44, of Castro Valley, Calif., according to a federal document.
In addition, federal authorities claim that baggage handler Mayfield shipped drugs as cargo to Brandon Jarred Davillier, 27, of Slidell, La., and others for distribution.
Proceeds from the sale of the marijuana were deposited into accounts held by Ahshatae Marie Millhouse, 27, of Oakland; Laticia Ann Morris, 40, of Little Rock, Ark.; Donald Ray Holland II, 42, of Discovery Bay, Calif.; and others, authorities said.
The 14 people named in connection with the drug trafficking organization have been charged with felony counts of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. If convicted, each faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a $5 million fine.