HOUSTON -- Note: The following story is a verbatim transcript of an Investigators story that aired on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, on KPRC Local 2 at 10 p.m.

Local 2 Investigates gets answers. We told you about federal air marshals convicted of drug trafficking, drinking and driving and accused of sex crimes against children.

Now, one congressman is getting the answers the feds wouldn't tell you.

Investigative reporter Amy Davis has the numbers that may reveal a bigger problem with the agency.

"When they drink and they drive and they're convicted and they're put on probation, and they still work for the air marshal service and they keep coming back, why does that occur?" U.S. Rep. Ted Poe asked Transportation Security Administrator Kip Hawley.

Poe wants answers after Local 2 Investigates exposed federal air marshals awaiting criminal trials and receiving full pay to sit in a Houston field office.

"Probably not a good use of taxpayer money," said Poe when we told him about what we had discovered in June.

No one from the Federal Air Marshal Service would talk with us on camera, so Congressman Poe questioned the head of the TSA on the record, on camera in an Aviation Subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C. You can watch the entire hearing at http://transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=705.

"I have several questions for you," Poe began when it was his turn to question Hawley.

The congressman asked how many air marshals were hired with criminal records for misdemeanor crimes such as DWI.

"I would have to check it, but I believe it could be zero," Hawley replied.

"All these questions, I'd like an answer in writing within a week to me and to the chairman of the committee," Poe replied.

TSA's Kip Hawley did follow up. Local 2 obtained a copy of the letter he sent to Congressman Poe.

Hawley wrote that 28 air marshals were hired with pre-existing misdemeanors on their records.

Since 2002, 10 federal air marshals have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes. Nine were convicted of DWI or DUI -- one for disorderly conduct.

All kept their jobs.

Since our investigation, air marshal Deno Stamos pleaded guilty to a second DWI and received 15 months probation. According to Hawley, Stamos is still employed by the Federal Air Marshal Service.

"They have the same rights as any other citizen," Hawley told Poe at the hearing.

"Excuse me, sir," Poe interjected. "I know what their rights are. I used to be a judge forever. But I just want to know how many people we're talking about. That's the question."

Two other air marshals in our investigation are still awaiting trial and receiving full pay.

One is charged with DWI, the other for indecency with a child.

We'll follow up and let you know the results of those cases.

More Information:

TSA Response Letter To U.S. Rep. Ted Poe