Press Release
Two admit to burglarizing British Consul General’s residence
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas
HOUSTON – A Houston man and woman have pleaded guilty to damaging property occupied by a foreign government, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Today, Darion Benjamin Woods, 28, admitted he broke into, damaged and stole several items from the private residence of the Consul General for Great Britain. Christin Danielle Brinkley, 25, entered her plea May 11.
At their respective plea hearings, both admitted to burglarizing the home on July 23, 2022. They stole multiple items including two vehicles, one of which was the property of the British Consulate. Nobody was in the residence at the time of the incident.
Security cameras captured Brinkley and Woods pulling up to the gated residence with a U-Haul, jumping over the gate and eventually driving through it and causing significant damage. Once inside, they stole multiple items, including the two cars, jewelry, electronics, documents and a safe.
Authorities later located the stolen vehicles at an address in Houston and observed Brinkley inside both vehicles at different times. They took Brinkley and Woods into custody and recovered the vehicles as well as some property from the residence, most of which was damaged.
Damages have been calculated at approximately $56,636.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the pleas and set sentencing for Sept. 9. At that time, both face up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. They are also expected to have to pay restitution.
Both have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Department of State – Diplomatic Security Service and FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard W. Bennett and Luis Batarse are prosecuting the case.
Updated May 16, 2023
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