The American Eagle flight attendant accused of stealing another man's identity to fly around the world used the same fake driver's license when he was arrested in the Tampa Bay area three years ago, records show.
Jophan Porter, who was arrested at Miami International Airport last week on forgery and identity theft charges, was arrested in Largo in 2008 on charges that included aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Authorities said Porter, 38, assumed the identity of New York resident Anthony Frair, and was carrying a U.S. passport, three driver's licenses, an FAA certification, and American Eagle ID in Frair's name at the time of his June 17 arrest.
Porter gave the same bogus license to police in 2008 that he gave Miami-Dade police last week, authorities. Police said he would have been fingerprinted when he was charged with the battery.
Authorities have not said how long Porter has been in the country illegally.
Porter was hired as a flight attendant for American Eagle in March. His American Eagle ID gave him access to the cockpits and equipment at the airline, sometimes alone if he wanted, other airline workers said.
The FBI and the FAA are investigating how Porter was able to get approval for the job after being fingerprinted and using a fake identity. American Eagle officials said they are assisting in the investigation.
"The airline has thorough background check procedures in place which comply with federal regulations and adhere to industry standards. All new hire flight attendants must submit to a complete pre-employment background check, including a fingerprint based government check," American Eagle said in a statement.
Aviation security expert Benny Benitez said it's unbelievable to now find out that not only were Porter's fingerprints on file after being charged with a serious crime, but that American still hired him.
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"In my opinion, I think he was part of an overall group that might have had assistance to forge documents to get him operating capital and things of that nature," Benitez said.
Porter's employee benefits at American Eagle allowed him to travel virtually free around the world. Just last week he was in London, and then Dallas, before he was arrested once returning back to his home base in Miami.
Porter remains behind bars after a judge set his bail at $1 million. His arrest report indicates he was born in Guyana and is here in the U.S. illegally.
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials say anyone coming here on a visa must be fingerprinted. They also say they want Porter when Miami-Dade prosecutors are finished with him.
