2 transportation security officers at LAX plead guilty to taking bribes for drug smuggling

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Two transportation security officers have pleaded guilty to accepting bribes at Los Angeles International Airport to help smugglers get drugs through checkpoints undetected.

The U.S. Attorney's office said 28-year-old Dianna Perez and 29-year-old Randy Littlefield were charged with conspiracy and entered their pleas Tuesday.

Prosecutors said the Transportation Security Administration employees began taking bribes in November 2010. Perez cleared drug couriers' bags about nine times, and Littlefield cleared them at least two times.

Prosecutors said 24-year-old Millage Peaks paid the security workers approximately $200 to $500 for each bag containing marijuana that they cleared through security.

Peaks, the son of a former Los Angeles fire chief, also entered a guilty plea to conspiracy charges Tuesday. Two other smugglers have pleaded guilty to similar charges in the case.