FORMER CBP CONTRACT MECHANIC INDICTED FOR THEFT OF NIGHT VISION GOGGLES

TUCSON, Ariz. - A federal grand jury in Tucson returned a one count indictment yesterday against James Williams, 37, of Tucson, for Theft of Government Property. The indictment alleges that Williams, a contract mechanic formerly employed at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft facility in Tucson, Ariz., stole a pair of night vision goggles with a carrying case and battery worth $6,972.39, sold them on eBay for $3,700 and kept the money.

Williams is being summoned to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hector C. Estrada on Thursday, May 22, 2008, for arraignment on the charges.

A conviction for Theft of Government Property carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, the U.S. District Court Judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility in Tucson, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab and ITT Industries. The prosecution is being handled by Mary Sue Feldmeier, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.