TSA Investigation Leads to Arrest for $1.7 Million Theft
News & Happenings
January 4, 2008
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Office of Inspection, in conjunction with officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Federal Protective Services (FPS) announced today the arrest of an individual for theft of public property totaling approximately $1.7 million.
Former TSA contract employee Robert Hill was taken into custody by federal agents this morning at his home in Virginia. Hill is suspected of stealing Cisco routers and switches owned by TSA from a General Services Administration warehouse in Springfield, Va., and reselling the equipment to Gaithersburg, Md., computer company Bytes Solutions. In addition to Hill's arrest, agents executed a search warrant of Bytes Solutions.
"Because of the fine work of these investigators, taxpayer-funded equipment will be recovered," said David Holmes, assistant administrator, TSA Office of Inspection. "I am pleased that through the coordinated efforts of DHS agencies, we were able to bring this individual to justice."
At no time was any TSA data at risk as the stolen equipment was new and had not been used. Additionally, as a standard course of business, TSA encrypts all data and requires contractors to follow the same encryption protocols and practices.
TSA's Office of Inspection began this investigation in mid-November after being notified of the missing equipment and presented the facts of the case to United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, which will seek criminal prosecution. ICE and FPS agents assisted in the investigation and execution of the warrants.
