A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer has been charged with stealing cash from a wealthy airline passenger who had just arrived in the United States from the Bahamas on a private jet.
William Joseph Timothy, 43, of Naples, Florida, has been charged with a special crime that is designed to prevent corruption within the ranks of the CBP and, if found guilty, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
Prosecutors started to look into Timothy in May 2023 when the private jet passenger noticed that around $2,200 in cash from a much larger bundle of notes he had handed to the allegedly bent CBP officer for inspection was missing.
The passenger didn’t immediately report the matter to police but they did tell the pilot of his private jet and in turn CBP was made aware of the allegation.
The CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility followed up on the complaint and examined video surveillance footage from Naples Airport in Florida, where the alleged theft took place.
Timothy was seen in the video taking a stack of cash from the passenger for inspection and starting to count it. Three stacks of bills were separated from the rest, placed to one side, and then never returned to the victim, according to a criminal complaint.
Prosecutors allege Timothy placed 22 $100 bills to one side and then placed a customs declaration form on top in an attempt to conceal the theft.
The theft allegedly took place on May 24, 2023, but Timothy was only charged earlier this week following a lengthy investigation. The CBP is calling on other potential victims who passed through Naples Airport but haven’t yet made a report to police to get in contact.
.talk about a 3d world 5h1th0le that the USA has become. Disgusting.