MONTEGO BAY, St James — An intoxicated American visitor who got into a physical altercation with airport security officer at Sangster International Airport has been ordered to pay a fine of $124,000.

Lionel Ruffin, a 34-year-old pest control technician from Texas, pleaded guilty to assaulting a constable, using indecent language, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. He appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday

Prosecutors allege that on September 23, Ruffin was preparing to board a flight when he got into an argument with security personnel. During the brawl, he uttered profanities, punched at the officers, kicked one of them and actively resisted their efforts to arrest him. A taser had to be deployed in order to control him.

During the mitigation phase, defence counsel Michael Hemmings informed presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton that Ruffin was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, had no prior criminal record, and was remorseful.

“As far as his educational background goes, he holds a master’s degree in criminal justice and law enforcement…He is indeed remorseful for his actions, and I also submit that he has taken full responsibility for his actions,” Hemmings explained.

“He was at the airport waiting to board his flight, and he engaged in a few alcoholic beverages at the lounge. Though that is not an excuse for his behaviour, that may have influenced his actions on that day,” the attorney added.

Hemmings further explained that upon his client’s arrival in Jamaica, he encountered a situation where he was stopped due to checks being made on his name, but was ultimately cleared. The attorney also pointed out that the same scrutiny was applied when his client was leaving Jamaica, which irritated him because he had already been subjected to these checks upon arrival.

According to Hemmings, his client was a first-time visitor to Jamaica whose intention was not to cause harm, but rather to contribute to the country’s primary source of revenue — tourism.

“He was here for a good purpose, but fell on the wrong side of the law while he was departing Jamaica,” Hemmings said, pleading with the judge to be lenient.

During Ruffin’s sentencing, Fairclough-Hylton emphasised that the defendant’s professional background should have instilled in him a sense of proper conduct.

“His training in criminal justice demanded that he act in a more responsible manner. While I do understand that he was partaking of alcoholic beverages, that is really no excuse for him to act in the manner that he did,” she said.

She considered his early admission of guilt, but emphasised the importance of imposing a sentence that sends the message that disrespectful behaviour towards police officers is unacceptable.

Ruffin was ordered to pay $60,000 or spend 30 days in prison for assaulting a constable, $60,000 or 30 days for resisting arrest, $2,000 or 10 days for indecent language, and $2,000 or 10 days for disorderly conduct.