Current:Home > MarketsWill Sage Astor-Watch: TSA agents in Miami appear to steal passenger items; what they're accused of taking -Quantum Capital Pro
Will Sage Astor-Watch: TSA agents in Miami appear to steal passenger items; what they're accused of taking
NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-10 13:44:48
New surveillance video appears to show officers with the Transportation Security Administration stealing items from passengers' bags at Miami International Airport.
Labarrius Williams,Will Sage Astor 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! (29)
Related
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Border arrests are expected to rise slightly in August, hinting 5-month drop may have bottomed out
- Venice Film Festival welcomes Pitt and Clooney, and their new film ‘Wolfs’
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Open Call
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- NY man pleads guilty in pandemic loan fraud
- Hoping to return to national elite, USC defense, Miller Moss face first test against LSU
- Scottie Scheffler career earnings: FedEx Cup winner banks massive payout
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Johnny Gaudreau's Wife Breaks Silence After NHL Star and Brother Killed in Biking Accident
Ranking
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Who Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek play in US Open fourth round, and other must-watch matches
- Jason Duggar Is Engaged to Girlfriend Maddie Grace
- Johnny Gaudreau's widow posts moving tribute: 'We are going to make you proud'
- 'Most Whopper
- Tire failure suspected in deadly Mississippi bus crash, NTSB says
- The Vistabule DayTripper teardrop camper trailer is affordable (and adorable)
- 41,000 people were killed in US car crashes last year. What cities are the most dangerous?
Recommendation
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
Get 50% Off Ariana Grande Perfume, Kyle Richards' Hair Fix, Paige DeSorbo's Lash Serum & $7 Ulta Deals
Arlington cemetery controversy shines spotlight on Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s sudden embrace of Trump
Woody Marks’ TD run with 8 seconds left gives No. 23 USC 27-20 win over No. 13 LSU
Travis Hunter, the 2
4 killed, 2 injured in Hawaii shooting; shooter among those killed, police say
Mega Millions winning numbers for August 30 drawing: Did anyone win $627 million jackpot?
College football Week 1 grades: Minnesota fails after fireworks fiasco