AP/Yahoo! News
May 16, 2012
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — For 20 years, co-workers on the security team at one of the nation’s busiest airports knew him as Jerry Thomas. His real name, authorities say, was Bimbo Olumuyiwa Oyewole, a Nigerian who used the name of a murder victim to hide his status as an illegal immigrant.
Though there’s no indication of any other intent or transgressions, the revelation came the same day a federal report found that Newark Liberty International Airport mishandled security breaches.
Oyewole, 54, worked at the airport, starting in 1992, using the name of Jerry Thomas, who was killed that year in New York City. He was arrested Monday after an anonymous tip at his home in Elizabeth and faced charges including identity theft, authorities said.
At a hearing Tuesday, Oyewole pleaded not guilty to identity theft and the judge raised his bail from $75,000 to $250,000. The only time Oyewole spoke was to say “yes” when the judge asked him if he lived in Elizabeth. Prosecutors say he may have four or five other aliases.
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