A federal Air Marshal was arrested on Thursday for allegedly taking photos under women's skirts while working, POLITICO reported.
Adam Bartsch was on duty at Nashville International Airport on Southwest Airline Flight 3132 when a witness discovered him taking the pictures and grabbed his cell phone. After notifying a flight attendant, Bartsch was removed from the Tampa-bound flight and charged with disorderly conduct.
Witness Rey Collazo described the incident a local news station.
"I just reached over with my left hand and grabbed it, struggled with him a little bit and I got the better part of the phone and twisted and hit him with my right hand between the neck and the shoulder. Shoved him back and I took the phone," Collazo said.
"I looked at the guy and said, 'Excuse me, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. A disgrace to a human being. To a man. That's wrong.'"
Authorities said Bartsch, 28, had taken photos of other women in the past.
"We removed a passenger from Flight No. 3132 from Nashville to Tampa prior to departure due to a customer concern that was brought to our attention. We turned the matter over to local law enforcement, and the passenger did not travel as scheduled. The rest of the passengers and crew continued on to Tampa as scheduled," Southwest Airlines said in a statement.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said Bartsch was removed from duty and an investigation is ongoing.
"TSA does not tolerate criminal behavior. The agency has removed this individual from his current duties and is in the process of suspending or terminating his employment. TSA is cooperating fully with investigators," TSA spokesman David Castelveter said.
The federal marshal was charged with unlawful photography and released on $10,000 bail on Thursday night.
He is scheduled for court on Nov. 14.
