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Longmont Woman Draws National Attention In TSA Groping Case

LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4) - The Department of Homeland Security is taking the case of a Longmont woman who allegedly grabbing the breast of a TSA agent very seriously.

Yukari Mihamae, 61, was taken into custody at the screening area of the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport last Thursday. Police say she refused to go through screening and was argumentative. Officials say she admitted to grabbing a TSA agent's breast with both hands and squeezing and twisting, but has not given a reason why. Mihamae, who had to spend a night in jail, is now charged with felony sexual abuse.

A CBS4 reporter briefly spoke to Mihamae on Sunday at her Longmont home but she said she had no comment about the case on the advice of her attorney.

Some Facebook users who are obviously frustrated with the strict procedures of the Transportation Safety Administration have set up a Facebook page expressing their support for Mihamae.

The "Acquit Yukari Mihamae" page had more than 1,600 supporters on Monday. News of its creation the brought some different reactions from travelers on Sunday at Denver International Airport.

"Calling it a felony is pretty silly and the TSA abuses people daily," Drew Westphal, a resident of New York City, told CBS4.

"We have to play along for our security and the safety of the United States," one traveler told CBS4. "I don't think you should be able to put your hands on anybody, especially somebody who is trying to perform security," Mike Garcia, of Brighton, said.

Mihamae told the New York Post in a phone interview that she is a frequent air traveler and that she runs into a problem with the TSA on a weekly basis.

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