Former TSA officer sentenced in painkiller case

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Federal authorities say a former Transportation Security Administration officer has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for accepting cash to allow painkiller pills through airport security.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said 31-year-old Jonathan Best of Port St. Lucie, Fla., was sentenced Tuesday in New Haven to six years and four months. He pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

Authorities say Best accepted cash from a narcotics trafficker to allow oxycodone pills through airport security and agreed last year to travel to Connecticut to help the trafficker launder drug proceeds.

Best's attorney declined to comment.

Two other former TSA officers, a former New York police officer and a former Florida state trooper have pleaded guilty in the case.