A Charlottesville man arrested last year for taking his clothes off at a security checkpoint at Richmond International Airport has filed a lawsuit against the airport and federal officials.
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Richmond on Thursday, Aaron B. Tobey, 21, alleges that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration and airport officials violated his constitutional rights.
Federal officials could not be reached for comment. RIC spokesman Troy Bell said he could not comment because the matter involves pending litigation.
In a protest against airport security procedures, Tobey stripped to his socks and shorts Dec. 30, displaying words from the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures written on his chest.
He was taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct, but the charges were dropped soon after by Henrico County authorities. He eventually was allowed to continue on his flight to attend a family funeral.
John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties organization based in Charlottesville that filed the suit on Tobey's behalf, said, "Tobey was unduly seized by government agents in violation of the Fourth Amendment, despite the fact that he did nothing to disrupt airport routine."
The suit alleges false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and violations of Tobey's rights under the First, Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth amendments and is seeking $250,000 in compensatory damages and legal fees.
fgreen@timesdispatch.com
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