Local

Ramp employee at airport had warrant out for his arrest

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Eyewitness News has learned a ramp employee at Charlotte Douglas International Airport was arrested last week at work after it was discovered there had been a warrant out for his arrest.

Raynard Hudson told Channel 9 that as a ramp employee, he directed planes, cleaned planes and handled baggage. The warrant for his arrest stemmed from something that happened more than 10 years ago. In 2000, he was accused of stealing from his employer, the Bass Pro Shop in Concord. On Thursday, he was arrested on that felony charge.

"My life just went upside down over a charge from 2000,” Hudson said.

Hudson said he thought the case had been dismissed and he was not aware of the warrant. He said he started working at the airport over the summer.

So, Eyewitness News wanted to know why he was allowed to work there if there was a warrant out for his arrest. We called Delta Global Services, the staffing service that hired Hudson, but they said they would not comment.

A representative for Charlotte Douglas said besides the checks done by Delta Global Services, the airport also follows standards mandated by the TSA.

Those standards outline what would disqualify an employee from having unescorted access into secure areas. They list 28 crimes. The standards say potential employees cannot be convicted of any of those crimes in the last 10 years. However, it does not appear that those standards say anything about being wanted by police.

The airport's aviation director, Jerry Orr, said last week's arrest is disturbing.

"Any time anyone working inside the fence is arrested for anything whatsoever it is a concern," Orr said.

Hudson's airport badge was taken away on Thursday. The case against him was dismissed on Friday because it was so old and there was a lack of evidence. Hudson and his lawyer said they are hoping he gets his job back. Delta Global Services wouldn't comment on that.