Samuel Brinton, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, is to have a mental health evaluation after stealing luggage from an airport and avoiding incarceration.
Brinton must also write an apology letter to the owner of the stolen luggage.
“The case resolved with an opportunity for diversion, which is a standard disposition in a case like this when a defendant has no felony criminal record. It gives an opportunity for the defendant to be accountable and take responsibility for the conduct, and potentially have the case dismissed if they are successful,” according to a Hennepin County Attorney’s Office spokesperson via an email to The Epoch Times.
“Diversion in this case will include a mental health evaluation and following all recommendations, signing a release of information within 2 weeks of intake to allow providers to give updates of progress, performing 3 days of community work service, and writing an apology letter. And of course remain law abiding,” the spokesperson added.
Reporting from The Epoch Times:
Brinton was captured on video footage at the airport on Sept. 16, 2022, removing a bag owned by another person, taking off the tag, and going to a nearby hotel. After Brinton initially told police officers that did not take anything that did not belong to him, he later called airport police and said he took a bag that did not belong to him. ... Brinton was also caught on camera taking luggage belonging to another person at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, in July 2022. Charging documents said Brinton stole items worth more than $3,670 after removing the tag on the bag and quickly leaving the airport.
