McCarran workers arrested in theft case

Three technicians who install and repair security cameras at McCarran International Airport have been arrested, suspected of stealing electronic gear and sabotaging at least one airport security camera.

The value of the equipment the three men are charged with stealing is about $2,800, but investigators suspect the thefts might have occurred for several years. They also discovered evidence of tampering with a surveillance camera watching over the building on the county-run airport's grounds where the technicians worked. Investigators say some video was erased.

"We are always concerned when we learn that county employees have allegedly stolen county property," District Attorney David Roger said Thursday. "But more importantly, allegations of tampering with surveillance systems sets off red flags in these types of investigations."

Two of the technicians, Matthew Charniga, 39, a felon, and Joseph Cordova, 34, have been fired as a result of the criminal investigation.

Their supervisor, Chad Norton, 34, is on paid administrative leave while he faces the theft charges and an internal airport investigation.

All three men worked at McCarran's Information Systems Division, which has about 80 employees who provide technical assistance to various airport departments. Among their many duties, the technicians worked on cameras in the baggage claim area and on those outside the airport.

The technicians did not have routine access to surveillance cameras in the airport's secure area or passenger checkpoints controlled by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, an airport source said.

They had the ability -- but not the authority -- to access live video feeds and recordings from cameras outside the TSA area, but officials don't believe they compromised security at McCarran.

The district attorney's office filed a seven-count complaint against the three in February, charging them with conspiracy, burglary and theft after airport officials reported they had bought high-tech universal remotes and other electronic equipment for themselves using airport purchase orders.

Detectives with the Criminal Intelligence Section of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the case, and prosecutors have informed the defendants that they expect to present evidence to a county grand jury for indictment.

McCarran spokeswoman Elaine Sanchez issued a written statement saying airport management discovered the "incidents of misconduct" and immediately requested the police department's assistance.

"The Department of Aviation has vigorously pursued its administrative rules and regulations," Sanchez said. "To date, two employees have been terminated and airport management will continue its administrative course until these matters are resolved."

Sanchez said airport officials did not inform the Transportation Security Administration about the criminal investigation, but are cooperating with Las Vegas police. Dwayne Baird, a TSA spokesman, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

THEFTS LAST YEAR

The thefts occurred between March 8 and May 19 of last year, according to the indictment and an arrest report . Police have been poring over airport purchase orders dating back several years to determine if other equipment was stolen.

Norton has worked at the airport since Sept. 9, 1996. Cordova was hired Nov. 10, 2005, and Charniga started working there on Oct. 23, 2006.

All three defendants are to be arraigned before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joseph Sciscento on Monday. Prosecutors plan to file an additional charge against Charniga for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Police seized the weapon, a .22 caliber revolver, during a court-authorized raid in February at Charniga's 6384 High Sierra Ave. home, according to a copy of the search warrant return.

Police also seized other electronic equipment, including remote controls, cameras, speakers, a computer monitor, a microphone and a 42-inch flat screen television.

In a sworn affidavit requesting the search warrant, a detective said police suspect Charniga installed an expensive video surveillance system at his home, with airport equipment. Charniga told police he did not get the equipment from the airport.

FELONY CONVICTION

Charniga was hired even though he pleaded guilty in 1994 to voluntary manslaughter, a felony for which he got an eight-year suspended sentence and five years probation, court records show.

Prosecutors originally charged him with murder with the use of a deadly weapon, along with the manslaughter charge, in the Dec. 6, 1992, shooting death of Thomas Cacino Carcelli in the parking lot of the Meadows Mall. At the time, Charniga was 20, and Carcelli was 19.

Charniga contended he shot Carcelli in the chest with a handgun after Carcelli tried to hit him with an aluminum baseball bat. Prosecutors agreed to allow Charniga to plead to the lesser manslaughter charge.

Court records show Charniga was involved in another shooting as a result of an altercation four months earlier. Again, he claimed self-defense. In that incident, Charniga fired a shot at one of his attackers, but missed. A friend involved in the fight shot one of the assailants.

Sanchez said airport officials abided by Transportation Security Administration rules in hiring Charniga.

"A criminal record alone does not disqualify applicants," Sanchez said. "There are also other factors that weigh the decision to hire an airport employee. ... Applicants cannot have a disqualifying crime within the last 10 years. The airport must follow all TSA rules on this matter."

Charniga's hiring date in 2006 was a several months shy of 12 years after his manslaughter plea.

His lawyer, John Momot, wouldn't comment Thursday. Neither would Norton's attorney, William Terry. Cordova's lawyer, Thomas Pitaro, was out of the country and unavailable for comment.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.