Customs officer accused of stealing cash from air passenger

FORT MYERS, Fla. — A federal customs officer is charged with stealing cash from an airline passenger at Naples Airport.

William Joseph Timothy, 43, of Naples, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBP), is charged with stealing cash from an international airline passenger during his employment as a CBP Officer at Naples Airport. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the arrest and filing of a criminal complaint charging Timothy on January 10.

If convicted, Timothy faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, an international airline passenger reported that more than $2,000 in cash went missing after a currency verification inspection by a CBP officer at Naples Airport. The passenger arrived on a private aircraft from the Bahamas.

The passenger reported the alleged theft to a pilot and an employee of the Naples Airport Authority, who advised the appropriate CBP personnel of the allegation.

Agents from the Office of Professional Responsibility at CBP launched an investigation following the complaint.

During the investigation, surveillance video was examined, which reportedly showed Timothy setting aside and taking approximately 22 bills of U.S. currency belonging to the airline passenger during a border enforcement examination in May 2023.

A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Office of Professional Responsibility at U.S. Customs and Protection is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth is prosecuting it.

If you believe you have also been a victim of such a theft from the Naples Airport, please contact the CBP Joint Intake Center at (877) 246-8253 or jointintake@cbp.dhs.gov.