The breach of a $100-million fence around John F. Kennedy Airport by a Queens, New York, man on Friday was "a serious security breakdown" that could be the focus of congressional hearings, says Representative Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Port Authority police have charged Daniel Castillo, 32, of Howard Beach, with criminal trespass, according to the police report.
He was riding a personal watercraft that broke down about 7: 45 p.m. Saturday in Jamaica Bay. Castillo, wearing a bright yellow vest, swam ashore, climbed the eight-foot fence, crossed two runways and walked to Terminal 3, where an airport worker alerted authorities. Castillo told officers "I needed help," according to the police report.
"It seems like a lot went wrong," King, a Republican, said Monday. "He walked through a number of secure areas. This is serious security breakdown."
Kevin Fogarty, King's spokesman, said the incident "very likely" would be the subject of hearings before the Homeland Security Committee.
Castillo had no hostile intent that law enforcement was aware of, King said.
"The bad part is a guy who didn't know what he was doing was able to breach a $100-million security system," said King, who had previously scheduled a tour of JFK Airport next week to address security issues.
