Published Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 | 6:56 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 | 8:49 p.m.
A U.S. Department of Energy official is accused of stealing a woman’s suitcase earlier this year at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, according to a Metro Police warrant for their arrest.
The warrant for Samuel Brinton, deputy assistant secretary for spent fuel and waste disposition, was issued Wednesday. They are suspected of stealing property valued at about $3,670, and face a charge of grand larceny. They have not been arrested.
The woman whom the suitcase belonged to told police when she landed in Las Vegas about 7:30 p.m. July 6 that she was only able to locate two of three bags she had checked with the airline. The missing suitcase had jewelry, makeup and more that totaled over $3,000.
Video surveillance of the scene reviewed by police allegedly showed Brinton at the luggage carousel, exhibiting “nonverbal cues” and body language that is typical of suspects who commit luggage theft.
Brinton can be seen picking up the victim’s suitcase, examining the tag and placing it back down on the carousel. Then, they looked around before picking up the suitcase a second time and exiting the airport with it, officers noted in the warrant.
Police were unable to immediately identify Brinton from the video and the case was temporarily closed.
It was reopened in November, however, when Brinton was identified in a news article as the suspect in a separate incident from September at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minnesota, and they were recognized by a Metro officer as also being the suspect in the Las Vegas case.
Brinton’s identity was further confirmed when they were identified as having been a passenger on a flight that landed the day of the theft, July 6, at Harry Reid International Airport, and determined to have been wearing the same clothing as the suspect in the surveillance video, according to the warrant.
A spokesperson for the energy department said in an email that Brinton has been placed on administrative leave. When clearance holders within the department are charged with a crime, a review of their case by personnel security officials could result in suspension or revocation of their clearance, the email stated.
“The Department of Energy takes criminal charges against DOE employees and clearance holders very seriously,” the spokesperson said.
