Former TSA Officer Sentenced for Stealing Items from Passengers’ Luggage

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Douglas Wayne DeWeese, 55, of Damascus, Maryland, was sentenced today to 10 months in prison for theft of property in interstate commerce, along with two years of supervised release and restitution.

DeWeese pleaded guilty on Aug. 20, 2015.  According to court documents, from 2008 through 2012, DeWeese was employed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as a Transportation Security Officer responsible for inspecting checked bags at Washington-Dulles International Airport.  While on duty, DeWeese stole items and valuables from passengers’ luggage, including electronics, jewelry and currency.  The defendant transported the stolen items from the airport to his home in Maryland.  DeWeese is no longer a TSA employee.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Peter Neffenger, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration; and Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga.  The case was investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of TSA’s Office of Inspection, FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly R. Pedersen and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William Glaser are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-145.

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