Ex-TSA Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiring and Attempting to Smuggle Drugs Through Hartsfield-Jackson

ATLANTA—Ex-TSA Officer Timothy G. Gregory, 26, of DeKalb County, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to conspiring and attempting to smuggle cocaine through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, announced Sally Quillian Yates, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “Mr. Gregory abused his position as a TSA officer to smuggle sham drugs through the world’s busiest airport for people he thought were narcotics traffickers. The citizens of this district deserve better. They rightfully deserve law enforcement officers who obey the laws that they are entrusted to enforce. Mr. Gregory now faces a lengthy prison sentence.”

James E Ward, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Atlanta Field Office, stated, “The DHS-OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and aggressively investigate allegations of corruption to protect the integrity of DHS personnel, programs, and operations. Acts of corruption within DHS represent a threat to our nation and undermine the honest and hardworking employees, who strive to maintain the integrity of the Department. DHS-OIG and its law enforcement partners will continue to hold these shameless individuals like Mr. Gregory accountable.”

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: Beginning in February 2012, Gregory misused his position as an officer with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to smuggle what he believed to be illegal drugs through Atlanta’s airport security.

On February 24, 2012, an undercover officer provided Gregory with five kilograms of fake cocaine and $5,000 in cash. Thereafter, Gregory, who was wearing his TSA uniform, went to the airport, transported the fake cocaine through the TSA security checkpoint, and delivered the sham drugs to another undercover officer in the terminal.

On May 4, 2012, undercover officers provided Gregory with 10 kilograms of fake cocaine, which Gregory had agreed to transport from Atlanta to Commerce, Georgia.

On August 7, 2012, Gregory was indicted on three counts of drug trafficking. Today, he pleaded guilty to one conspiracy count and one count of possession with intent to distribute. Gregory could receive maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. before United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security-Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Marshals Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey W. Davis is prosecuting the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following website: www.justthinktwice.com.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Information Office at USAGAN.Pressemails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the homepage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.