A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer pleaded guilty on June 18 to stealing cash from arriving international airline passengers during his official duties at Naples Airport.
The passenger noticed approximately $2,200 was missing from the amount he had presented to Mr. Timothy during the currency verification. The passenger subsequently reported the alleged theft to a pilot and an employee of the Naples Airport Authority, who advised the appropriate CBP personnel of the allegation.
This prompted an investigation, which was initiated by agents from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
The investigation found that during the examination of a surveillance video, Mr. Timothy took “approximately 22 bills of U.S. currency” belonging to the passenger and hid the cash during the currency verification.
Investigations further found that Mr. Timothy was stealing cash from arriving international passengers during border enforcement examinations and currency verifications at the airport, stealing approximately $18,700 in cash from airline passengers on 17 occasions.
Mr. Timothy entered a plea agreement in which he agreed to pay full restitution to the victims of his thefts. He further agreed to tender his immediate resignation from his employment with CBP.
He could face up to 10 years in federal prison. He is currently awaiting sentencing, the date of which is yet to be announced.
NTD has reached out to CBP for further comment but did not receive a response before publication.
In its Report on Internal Investigations and Employee Accountability U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the CBP said for the fiscal year of 2022, there were 221 arrests of CBP employees and 256 the year before.
The CBP employs more than 60,000 people.
