An Australian national, Thomas Bingham, has pleaded guilty to a Class A misdemeanor for an assault on a federal officer. He was alleged to have committed the assault on a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in March 2026. Sentencing has been set for September 18. US Magistrate Judge Charles F. Eick will preside over the sentencing, which could be nine years behind bars.
Unruly passenger reports have declined significantly since aviation returned after the pandemic, although they haven’t yet reached full pre-pandemic levels. This case shows that even as assaults on federal officers and aviation staff decline, they can still have substantial consequences for both the perpetrator and the victim.
The Alleged Assault Led To A Medical Evaluation
Bingham’s assault allegedly occurred on March 15 between Terminals 6 and 7 at LAX, as reported by My News LA. Bingham spotted an on-duty and uniformed TSA officer leaving a restroom. The Australian was in LAX for a layover during his flight to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). Bingham approached the officer and accused him of taking his backpack and passport. He reacted aggressively, grabbing the officer’s uniform, pulling on the TSA lanyard around the officer’s neck, pulling the officer’s hair, and shoving him against a glass wall. Such was the severity of this assault that the TSA officer continued to experience significant pain in his hand and back, leading him to seek medical evaluation.
The US Justice Department says airport police arrested Bingham. His bag and passport were then found in a Terminal Seven restaurant. Bingham had visited the business earlier. Bingham was released from custody before being arrested again at LAX while boarding a flight to the United Kingdom.
Simple Flying has contacted the TSA for a comment on the Bingham incident.
Unruly Passenger Incidents Have Been Declining Since 2021
Incidents like Bingham’s alleged assault reached a record high in 2021. Across this year, there were 5,973 unruly passenger reports, up 492% from the previous year as commercial aviation returned after the pandemic, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data. March 2021 was the busiest month with 720 reported incidents.
To break down the data further, of the 1,090 incidents reported so far, investigations have been initiated in 81 cases. The next step, enforcement action, has been initiated 69 times. As a result, $1,400,000 in fines have been charged. We will have to wait until the September sentencing to know Bingham’s contribution to this total.
If convicted, the passenger could face up to 20 years in a Federal Prison for assaulting TSA and DPD officers.
Airlines & Authorities Pursuing Legal Convictions Is The Answer
The aviation industry will advocate for a firm sentence for Bingham, because the decline in unruly passenger incidents in recent years has been directly tied to harsh consequences. According to then-IATA Director General Willie Walsh, airlines have become increasingly aggressive in seeking convictions and financial compensation from unruly passengers.
“We’ve seen more and more airlines take very strong action against anybody who disrupts flights,” he said at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro in June.
Previously, carriers were reluctant to pursue such action. These legal measures are often costly and time-consuming.
Bingham’s alleged assault on the TSA officer was not connected to a specific airline. However, this sentencing and airlines’ willingness to pursue legal action in other cases help create an environment where passengers are highly motivated to stay out of trouble.
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