THREE SECURITY EMPLOYEES ARRESTED IN PORT EVERGLADES

THREE SECURITY EMPLOYEES ARRESTED IN PORT EVERGLADES    The U.S. Department of Justice said three security employees at Port Everglades, Fla., have been arrested on charges relating to security violations.
   Marcos Daniel Jimenez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said Edward Ebmeier, Almeida Cetoute, and Fritz Victor have been charged with “knowingly and willfully concealing or falsifying a material fact concerning matters within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard.” They will appear in federal court on March 24.
   Ebmeier is president of Port Services International (PSI), a private company that provides security for 11 cruise lines located at Port Everglades. In the course of a Justice Department investigation, law enforcement agents received information that “PSI had numerous employees that did not possess the required certification and training to work at the passenger baggage screening areas of the port,” Jimenez’s office said in a statement.
   “The investigation also revealed that Cetoute, the operations manager at PSI, offered to supply a confidential informant with falsified documents to obtain State of Florida Class D and G security licenses for $350,” the Justice Department said. Cetoute allegedly provided other false documents attesting to having passed security training courses and demonstrating proficiency in firearms.
   Victor was believed to have signed the fraudulent training course documents, the Justice Department said.
   The alleged violations of applicable federal laws carry maximum penalties of six to ten years in prison and fines of $250,000.