By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-955490.mp3
Buffalo, NY – A Transportation Security Administration employee who allegedly helped a suspected drug dealer get past airport security has not yet surrendered her security access card.
Minnetta Walker was back in federal court Wednesday for a procedural hearing. She was released from court earlier this week on her own recognizance after pleading not guilty to felony charges that she obstructed security.
She is accused of helping Derek Frank, a suspected drug trafficker, smuggle large amounts of cash through airport security. A federal judge assigned attorney Jim DeMatteo to represent Walker. DeMatteo said, right now, he knows few details about the case or his client.
Walker, who is the mother of one child, worked for the TSA for about nine years. According to the prosecutor, she surrendered her TSA badge, but had not yet turned over her security access card. The judge ordered her to surrender that and any TSA materials by Friday.
DeMatteo said his client appears to have loved her job and is very distraught.
DeMatteo said he would be talking to the district attorney to find out exactly what punishment Walker is facing. She waived her right to a preliminary hearing. The judge ordered attorneys to report back by April 29 with their progress on the discovery process.