Tourist attacks airport security

September 26, 2024

A drunk American tourist who fought airport officers at the Sangster International Airport ended up paying $124,000 in fines when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Lionel Ruffin, a 34-year-old pest control technician of a Texas address, pleaded guilty to assaulting a constable, using indecent language, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

The court was told that on September 23, Ruffin was preparing to board a flight when he got into an argument with security personnel. During the ensuing brawl, he used several expletives, punched at the officers, kicked one of them, and resisted their attempts to arrest him. A taser had to be used to subdue him.

Addressing presiding Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton on Ruffin's behalf, defence attorney Michael Hemmings said that Ruffin was intoxicated, had no previous convictions, and was remorseful for his actions.

"As far as his educational background goes, he holds a master's degree in criminal justice and law enforcement. He is indeed remorseful for his actions, and I also submit that he has taken full responsibility for his actions," Hemmings explained. "He was at the airport waiting to board his flight, and he engaged in a few alcoholic beverages at the lounge. Though that is not an excuse for his behaviour, that may have influenced his actions on that day."

In sentencing Ruffin, Judge Fairclough-Hylton said that the defendant's training should have prompted him to behave better.

"His training in criminal justice demanded that he act in a more responsible manner. While I do understand that he was partaking of alcoholic beverages, that is really no excuse for him to act in the manner that he did," she said.

Ruffin was ordered to pay $60,000 or spend 30 days in prison for assaulting a constable, $60,000 or 30 days for resisting arrest, $2,000 or 10 days for indecent language, and $2,000 or 10 days for disorderly conduct.

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