A former officer with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has admitted to stealing money from international airline passengers at Naples Airport while on duty. William Joseph Timothy, 43, from Ave Maria, confessed to taking nearly $20,000 from more than a dozen passengers between mid-2023 and early 2024, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneyâs Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The passenger noticed the missing cash and reported it to authorities at the airport, prompting an investigation by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The investigation uncovered surveillance footage showing Mr. Timothy taking money from the passenger during the currency verification.
Further investigations revealed that Mr. Timothy had stolen cash from multiple arriving international passengers on 17 occasions, totaling approximately $18,700. As part of a plea agreement, he has agreed to repay the victims, resign from his position at CBP, and could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
Mr. Timothy is currently awaiting sentencing, and the date has yet to be determined. NTD reached out to CBP for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
The CBP’s Report on Internal Investigations and Employee Accountability noted 221 arrests of CBP employees in the fiscal year of 2022, with 256 the previous year. The agency stated its commitment to investigating misconduct and corruption and taking appropriate corrective action.
From NTD News.
