Student sorry over a costly kiss
Source: Agencies |
March 11, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A GRADUATE student from China who slipped under a rope barrier at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to say goodbye to his girlfriend, prompting a security breach and leading to worldwide flight delays, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and apologized publicly for the first time.
"I want to deeply apologize to those affected for my breach," Jiang Haisong said outside of court on Tuesday. "I just wanted to spend more time with my girlfriend. I made a big mistake, and I also learned a big lesson."
Jiang, a doctoral student in a joint molecular bioscience program at Rutgers University in the United States, admitted to a municipal judge that he passed under a rope and entered a restricted area at the airport on January 3.
As part of a plea agreement for the defiant trespassing charge, Jiang agreed to pay a US$500 fine, plus additional court costs, and perform 100 hours of community service.
Outside of court, Jiang spoke quietly in halting English, addressing his apology to airport personnel, Transportation Security Administration officials and passengers affected by the delays.
His attorney, Eric Bruce, said the misdemeanor charge would not affect Jiang's immigration status, and he would remain at Rutgers on a student visa.
Jiang was arrested on January 8, after authorities identified him from airport surveillance video that showed a man stepping under a security rope and entering a restricted area.
The breach led TSA to shut one of the airport's three terminals for six hours, stranding thousands of passengers and contributing to long delays.
About 200 flights worldwide were delayed or canceled because of the security breach and airlines estimate they lost millions of dollars.
"I want to deeply apologize to those affected for my breach," Jiang Haisong said outside of court on Tuesday. "I just wanted to spend more time with my girlfriend. I made a big mistake, and I also learned a big lesson."
Jiang, a doctoral student in a joint molecular bioscience program at Rutgers University in the United States, admitted to a municipal judge that he passed under a rope and entered a restricted area at the airport on January 3.
As part of a plea agreement for the defiant trespassing charge, Jiang agreed to pay a US$500 fine, plus additional court costs, and perform 100 hours of community service.
Outside of court, Jiang spoke quietly in halting English, addressing his apology to airport personnel, Transportation Security Administration officials and passengers affected by the delays.
His attorney, Eric Bruce, said the misdemeanor charge would not affect Jiang's immigration status, and he would remain at Rutgers on a student visa.
Jiang was arrested on January 8, after authorities identified him from airport surveillance video that showed a man stepping under a security rope and entering a restricted area.
The breach led TSA to shut one of the airport's three terminals for six hours, stranding thousands of passengers and contributing to long delays.
About 200 flights worldwide were delayed or canceled because of the security breach and airlines estimate they lost millions of dollars.
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