Woman accused of groping TSA agent at Phoenix airport

PHOENIX — Authorities say a Colorado woman who allegedly groped a female Transportation Security Administration agent at Phoenix's international airport is facing a felony count of sexual abuse.

Phoenix police say 61-year-old Yukari Miyamae is accused of grabbing the left breast of the unidentified TSA agent Thursday at an airport checkpoint.

TSA spokesperson Kawika Riley confirmed the altercation to msnbc.com in a statement: "On July 14 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, local law enforcement arrested a passenger for assaulting a TSA officer during the screening process." 

TSA staff say Miyamae refused to be go through passenger screening and became argumentative before she squeezed and twisted the agent's breast with both hands.

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Police were called and say Miyamae admitted grabbing the TSA agent and continued to argue with officers before she was arrested.

Maricopa County jail officials say Miyamae was released from custody Friday. They couldn't immediately provide any information about her case status.

Phoenix TV station KSAZ says Miyamae lives in Longmont, Colo., and is self-employed.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report. An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect spelling of the flier's last name. It is Miyamae, not Mihamae.

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