The Las Vegas police released surveillance images showing Sam Brinton stealing a woman’s luggage from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on July 6.
A felony arrest warrant was issued for Brinton on Dec. 8 for grand larceny with a value between $1,200 and $5,000.
Grand larceny in Nevada is punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
A woman who traveled to Reid airport from Dulles International Aiport on July 6 said she checked her hard-sided rolling luggage with United Airlines. But when she arrived at the baggage claim area in Las Vegas, the luggage was gone. The bag was valued at $320, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now.
Brinton is seen on surveillance video rolling 2 suitcases, including a grey hard-sided suitcase, through the terminal at Reid on the same day.
Brinton, 35, is deputy assistant secretary of the office of spent fuel and waste disposition. Brinton was placed on leave following his arrest in October.
Brinton is facing a similar charge of stealing designer luggage from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on September 16.
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Las Vegas Airport police were unable to identify the person seen stealing the victim’s luggage until they spotted a news story about Brinton’s arrest in November.
Detectives found Brinton’s Instagram page with a post dated July 6, the same day of the theft, according to police. Brinton was wearing the same t-shirt as the one worn by the luggage thief.
Airport police around the country are scouring surveillance footage to determine if Brinton is responsible for missing luggage at their airports.
GOP lawmakers renewed their call on Friday for Brinton to resign.
16 GOP lawmakers signed a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm calling for Brinton’s resignation.
“It is simply not possible for an individual to represent American values and simultaneously violate the felony laws of the land,” the letter reads.
The new arrest warrant prompted LGBT+ advocacy groups to denounce Brinton.
In an article published on LGBTQNation.com, a journalist wrote:
“In the case of the colorful Brinton, all that glitters is not gold. The LGBTQ+ movement must learn from this embarrassing lapse in judgment.
“LGBTQ+ groups were sloppy, ethically negligent, and shockingly unprofessional, choosing expedience over prudence in turning Brinton into a national spokesperson. They were warned but didn’t listen.”
The Biden administration refused to say if Brinton is still on the government’s payroll. Brinton’s salary is $178,000 a year.
A hearing on the October felony theft charge is scheduled for December 19 in Minneapolis. Brinton has requested to attend the hearing remotely due to “financial difficulties.”
