A Customs and Border Protection officer pleaded guilty to stealing more than $18,000 from arriving international flight passengers by swiping the money while conducting currency checks at a Florida airport, officials said.
William Timothy, 43, pleaded guilty Tuesday and, as part of a plea deal, agreed to immediately resign from the Border Protection Agency, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Timothy stole a total of approximately $18,700 from 18 passengers at Naples Airport between the middle of last year and early this year.
In a May 24, 2023 case mentioned in the plea agreement, Timothy allegedly stole $2,200 while counting cash during an inspection of a person arriving from the Bahamas.
There are 17 cases and 18 passengers listed in the settlement. As part of the deal, Timothy will have to pay restitution, the document said.
An attorney representing Timothy did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
He pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Fort Myers to being an officer or employee of the United States converting property of another, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years under the law.
A plea agreement reached last month does not specify a sentencing guideline, but prosecutors agreed to recommend some downward adjustments if conditions are met.
A sentencing date had not yet been set as of Tuesday.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
