Current:Home > StocksWatch: TSA agents in Miami appear to steal passenger items; what they're accused of taking -ThriveEdge Finance
Watch: TSA agents in Miami appear to steal passenger items; what they're accused of taking
SafeX Pro Exchange View
Date:2025-04-08 19:44:31
New surveillance video appears to show officers with the Transportation Security Administration stealing items from passengers' bags at Miami International Airport.
Labarrius Williams, 33, Josue Gonzalez, 20, and Elizabeth Fuster, 22 were arrested on July 6 and charged with organized schemes to defraud. Fuster's charges have since been dropped, while Gonzalez and Williams also were charged with grand theft.
Court records show that Gonzalez has been accepted into a deferred prosecution program and charges against him will be dropped if he meets the conditions of the program.
Williams has pleaded not guilty and is set for a trial hearing on Oct. 23.
The new video, obtained by USA TODAY on Friday, appears to show just how the alleged scheme worked.
TSA firearm detections are on the rise:Here's what we saw at one of the airports with the most cases
Video shows sleight of hand with wallet
As passenger belongings sit in bins on a conveyor belt, Gonzalez and Williams appear to pocket several items, including cash, according to the video, released by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.
One clip shows Gonzalez sliding his hand into a purse, grabbing something and moving it behind a larger object in the bin, apparently out of view of passengers. Gonzalez appears to remove cash from what looks like a wallet.
The men took as much as $600 from a wallet, according to the arrest affidavit, which says that Gonzalez, Williams and Fuster conspired to steal on multiple other occasions.
Gonzalez and Fuster admitted to stealing $1,000 per day
In a formal interview at TSA Command Center, Gonzalez and Fuster waived their right to remain silent and gave written statements confessing to being involved in various thefts, according to arrest affidavits. They admitted to stealing an average of about $1,000 a day while they worked together.
Williams did not waive his rights and refused to speak with investigators, the affidavits said.
None of their attorneys immediately responded to messages seeking comment from USA TODAY on Friday.
“The Transportation Security Administration holds its Transportation Security Officers to the highest professional and ethical standards and has no tolerance for misconduct in the workplace,” the TSA told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. “We actively and aggressively investigated these allegations of misconduct and presented our findings to (the Miami-Dade Police Department), and are working closely with them. Any employee who fails to meet our fundamental ethical standards is held accountable.”
TSA removed the officers from their screening duties pending the conclusion of the investigation and administrative actions.
A Miami International Airport spokesperson declined to comment.
Just in case:10 things to keep in your carry-on in case of flight cancellation or delay
veryGood! (295)
Related
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Drive a Honda or Acura? Over 2.5 million cars are under recall due to fuel pump defect
- Lawsuit challenges Alabama's plan to execute a death row inmate with nitrogen gas
- Taliban official says Afghan girls of all ages permitted to study in religious schools
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Naiomi Glasses on weaving together Native American art, skateboarding and Ralph Lauren
- Lawsuit challenges Alabama's plan to execute a death row inmate with nitrogen gas
- Hungary’s Orbán says he agreed to a future meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Canada announces temporary visas for people in Gaza with Canadian relatives
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Authorities return restored golden crosses to the domes of Kyiv’s St Sophia Cathedral
- Cyprus minister says his nation leads EU in repatriations and migrant arrivals are down sharply
- Is a Schitt's Creek Reunion in the Works? Dan Levy Says...
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Maryland prison contraband scheme ends with 15 guilty pleas
- This golden retriever is nursing 3 African painted dog pups at a zoo because their own mother wouldn't care for them
- From fugitive to shackled prisoner, ‘Fat Leonard’ lands back in US court and could face more charges
Recommendation
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
A US neurosurgeon's anguish: His family trapped in Gaza is 'barely staying alive'
Pregnant Suki Waterhouse Proudly Shows Off Her Bare Baby Bump on Tropical Vacation
Canada announces temporary visas for people in Gaza with Canadian relatives
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Toyota recalls 1 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles because air bag may not deploy properly
Hundreds alleged assault by youth detention workers. Years later, most suspects face no charges
World Bank projects that Israel-Hamas war could push Lebanon back into recession