Attorney General Becerra Announces Conviction and Sentencing in False Imprisonment Case Involving Former TSA Agent

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today secured a conviction in a false imprisonment case against Johnathon Lomeli, a former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent. As a result, Lomeli has been sentenced to complete two years of felony probation, 60 days in county jail, and 52 classes to address sexual compulsion. In addition, Lomeli will no longer be allowed to work as a security guard and will be required to pay any applicable victim restitution. 

“We all have the right to be treated with dignity and respect in all places. And no one is entitled to use a position of power to violate those rights,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Why can’t some men absorb that simple truth? This is 2021, not 1921. Today, Johnathon Lomeli learned this the hard way.”

Lomeli was arrested and charged with false imprisonment for unlawfully detaining a woman and using fraud or deceit to get her to expose herself to him in June of 2019. The incident occurred outside of the primary security screening area at LAX, one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world. The criminal complaint against Lomeli was filed last year as a part of a joint effort involving the California Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Air Marshals Service, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Airport Police, and the TSA.