Press Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Hawaii
PJKK Federal Building (808) 541-2850
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 6-100 FAX (808) 541-2958
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
May 17, 2006
For Immediate Release
P R E S S R E L E A S E
MICHAEL GOMES, age 32, today pled guilty to having stolen money from checked baggage that he was responsible for screening while employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). On February 5, 2006, GOMES was assigned to screen checked bags for TSA at the Molokai Airport. While conducting a search of checked bags, he stole $16,000 in cash from the victim’s baggage.
Edward H. Kubo, Jr., United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said that federal law prohibits any employee from taking the property of another. When sentenced on September 14, 2006 before Chief District Judge Helen Gillmor, Mr. Gomes could face up to ten years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000.
The prosecution was the result of an investigation conducted by the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and the Maui County Police Department. This case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Darren W.K. Ching.
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