Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day claimed a John Wayne Airport TSA agent sexually assaulted him during a security check on Friday.
In a Twitter thread, he shared his experience tagging the airlines on March 24 at 11:28 a.m.
“I really just got sexually assaulted by TSA at @JohnWayneAir,” the post read. “After I asked the gentleman to please stop BC I’m uncomfortable, and I feel that this part of the check is unnecessary (After he felt what was needed). Then they told me I was the problem after 3 TSA agents swarmed me.”
I really just got sexually assaulted by TSA at @JohnWayneAir. After I asked the gentleman to please stop BC I’m uncomfortable and I feel that this part of the check is unnecessary (After he felt what was needed). Then they told me I was the problem after 3 TSA agents swarmed me.
— Sebastian Joseph-Day (@SJD_51) March 24, 2023
Joseph-Day acknowledged that while the agent may have been conducting his routine job, the experience differed from what he was used to.
“I’m all for people doing their job well,” the 28-year-old continued. “But it was extremely unnecessary and dehumanizing. I travel a lot, for personal and work reasons. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
I really just got sexually assaulted by TSA at @JohnWayneAir. After I asked the gentleman to please stop BC I’m uncomfortable and I feel that this part of the check is unnecessary (After he felt what was needed). Then they told me I was the problem after 3 TSA agents swarmed me.
— Sebastian Joseph-Day (@SJD_51) March 24, 2023
The Chargers player said he had to “jump through hoops” to file a complaint.
And when I do try to file a complaint they are making me jump through hoops to do so. @JohnWayneAir
— Sebastian Joseph-Day (@SJD_51) March 24, 2023
“I’m not sharing this on Twitter for sympathy,” his Twitter thread concluded. “I’m sharing this so this group of [gentlemen] and staff aren’t allowed to do this ever again to another human being.”
I’m not sharing this on Twitter for sympathy. I’m sharing this so this group of gentleman and staff aren’t allowed to do this ever again to another human being. @JohnWayneAir @City_of_Irvine @OCSheriff @OCGovCA
— Sebastian Joseph-Day (@SJD_51) March 24, 2023
John Wayne Airport told Fox News Digital they knew about the situation (not specifically naming anyone).
“We are looking into the matter to determine if our procedures were followed and whether any corrective action needs to be taken,” the statement said.
John Wayne Airport is located in Santa Ana, California.
Joseph-Day isn’t the only Black NFL player who was reportedly sexually assaulted at a California airport. During the Covid-19 peak, an unnamed Black NFL player filed a lawsuit against United Airlines after being sexually assaulted by a white woman passenger on Feb. 10, 2020. The flight was from Los Angeles International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport.
