A 35-year-old man from Melbourne, Australia, remains in custody in the United States following an alleged assault on a Transportation Security Administration officer at Los Angeles International Airport.

Details of the Incident

Thomas Jesse Bingham faces a federal charge of assaulting a federal officer resulting in bodily injury. The confrontation occurred on March 15 as Bingham prepared to board a flight. Prosecutors state that Bingham believed the TSA officer had taken his backpack and passport.

Bingham approached the uniformed officer in a bathroom, followed him out, and the situation escalated. Authorities allege he grabbed the officer’s uniform, tore off his identification lanyard, pulled his hair, and shoved him into a glass wall.

The officer reported pain in his hand and back and received medical evaluation. Airport police arrested Bingham initially, later recovering his carry-on bag and passport at a restaurant in Terminal 7.

Court Proceedings and Potential Sentence

Bingham entered a not guilty plea in U.S. Federal Court in Los Angeles late last week. He was released briefly but rearrested at LAX while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.

If convicted, Bingham could face up to eight years in prison. A tentative trial date is set for May 12.