TSA Officer Indicted in Series of Thefts from Luggage

LOS ANGELES—A federal grand jury this afternoon indicted an officer with the Transportation Security Administration on theft charges related to watches and a pre-paid debit card that were stolen from the luggage of airline passengers at Los Angeles International Airport.

Paul Yashou, 38, of Torrance, was named in a five-count indictment that charges him with two felony and three misdemeanor theft counts.

The indictment alleges that Yashou stole four watches and the debit card from luggage going through security screening in Terminal 1 at LAX.

The indictment specifically alleges that Yashou stole an IWC GST chrono perpetual calendar moonphase watch valued at approximately $15,000, a Breitling Crosswind watch valued at approximately $5,000, a $1,000 Antima watch, a $1,000 Movado watch, and a $1,000 pre-paid debit card.

The investigation in this case started when the owner of the IWC watch noticed that his watch had been offered for sale on eBay. The investigation revealed that Yashou had sold the watch to the jewelry store that was offering the watch for sale on the Internet.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The two felony counts in the indictment, which relate to the IWC and Breitling watches, each carry a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The three misdemeanor charges each carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

Yashou will be summoned to appear in United States District Court for an arraignment on August 3.

The case against Yashou was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Airport Police.

CONTACT:
Assistant United States Attorney Meghan A. Blanco
Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section
(213) 894-2253
Release No. 11-102