TSA agent steals $200K worth of gear, resells it on eBay

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http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/10...it-on-ebay/;_ylt=Anyh5Ox22GU7f8t0n_A5RU2dMJA5

The TSA reached a mind-boggling new low in customer service this week when it was revealed that one agent had single-handedly absconded with over $200,000 worth of travelers' belongings, primarily cameras and laptops, and proceeded to unload his booty on eBay. His latest haul: A near-$50,000 camera that an HBO employee had been traveling with.
The culprit is one Pythias Brown, a New Jersey resident who worked in the TSA department at Newark Liberty Airport. Finally busted, police discovered an inventory of 66 cameras, 31 laptops, assorted jewelry, and more when they searched his home. How'd he finally get caught? Brown snagged a camera belonging to CNN, and they found it for sale on eBay, where Brown had been converting the gear into cash.
Brown's been doing a great job of it too, with a near-perfect feedback rating on eBay.
Of note: Brown appears to have been taking items from checked luggage in the back rooms of the airport, not carry-ons. (One has to imagine you'd notice your $50,000 camera was missing after it came off the x-ray line.) But since consumers are no longer allowed to lock their luggage (or, at least, the TSA is allowed to break those locks as it sees fit), travelers have no real means of protection when it comes to guarding against inside job thievery like this.
What do you do if you need to get something expensive from point A to point B but can't carry it on the plane? Advance shipping through FedEx and the like seems like the only real solution: At least with shipping carriers you can insure the package against damage and theft. But sadly, your contract with the airlines absolves them of virtually all liability when things like this happen.
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Just checking his ebay feedback, and all I have to say is...wow.
 
Attorney Says Agents "Could Have Waited" To Arrest His Client
Poor Pythias Brown... the 48-year-old TSA baggage screener at Newark Liberty who's been charged with stealing dozens of cameras, computers and other electronic gadgets from passengers' bags, and selling them on eBay. He just can't seem to steal a break.
As ANN reported earlier this week, Brown's bail was set at $100,000... and since he didn't have the property necessary to secure a bail bond, his fiance co-signed an unsecured bond to get him out of jail.
Now, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports Brown's attorney asked a judge to allow Brown to leave the country for a honeymoon while he awaits his trial. Brown reportedly appeared in federal court in Newark to ask US Magistrate Judge Esther Salas to be considerate of his wedding plans.
The judge was not amused. "I understand Mr. Brown has plans ... but the fact is, the circumstances have changed. I'm not going to, at this juncture, permit him to travel on the honeymoon."
Brown's public defender, Anthony Thomas, said the defendant and his fiancee are getting married Sunday, and planned to fly to the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon on Tuesday. He pointed out Brown has been "fully compliant" with investigators, gave them a "lengthy statement," confessed to the thefts, and showed up voluntarily to face charges.
Thomas even had the audacity to criticize authorities for their lack of courtesy in making the arrest when they did. "Obviously, they could have waited until Mr. Brown returned...There is absolutely no reason why Mr. Brown and his fiancee cannot ... enjoy their nuptials in the Dominican Republic," Thomas told the court.
Assistant US Attorney Jenny Kramer responded that Brown now has no job, has failed to appear on numerous traffic violation in the past, and has had his drivers license suspended multiple times as a result. She urged Salas to restrict Brown's travel and order him to surrender his passport. The judge agreed.
So... Brown and his fiance, Dee, are free to go ahead with their wedding. But the honeymoon travel plans will have to wait.
And a friendly tip for the wedding photographer... you probably don't want to leave your camera lying around during the ceremony.
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http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=5c99d714-0574-49d5-9441-01727e072018

Oh boy, something tells me this guy doesn't get it.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']I find it amazing the woman still wants to marry him, unless she's a piece of shit too.[/quote]

Totally.

Also - this guy stole a great deal of high-end cameras yet he feels put out at the timing of his arrest. He's saying we should wait until criminals are ready before we arrest them - what planet is this guy from?
 
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