DA Seth Williams: Federal Immigration Agent Stole Cash From Deportees
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- A federal immigration agent faces charges in Philadelphia that he stole cash from deportees.
After hearing whispers from prisoners being escorted between institutions that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agent was stealing cash, District Attorney Seth Williams says they sent in an undercover officer carrying $2000 in marked bills.
Then he says ICE agent Justin Ford was assigned to escort a prisoner, who was actually that undercover officer.
"His belongings were all itemized, and it was found that $200 had been removed," Williams said.
Williams says it's unfortunate that someone would throw away a career that way. "It just seems idiotic that he would take $200 of it for dinner money or what have you."
Special Agent in Philadelphia Gregory Null of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General says after Ford was arrested, he admitted stealing 2-3 times, for a total of around $750, before the sting operation with the undercover officer.
''This came to light because we had a report from a previous detainee that had money stolen while being transported by him," Williams says.
The 32-year old Ford was arraigned and released on $25,000 bail.
