The former Biden Department of Energy official who had been charged in two separate instances involving stolen luggage in distinct states was granted freedom without bail after making an appearance at a Minnesota court.
In September, Sam Brinton – a nonbinary individual utilizing the pronouns they/them – was charged with stealing a Vera Bradley suitcase from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s baggage claim area.
Brinton was accused of felony theft after being spotted utilizing the luggage, valued at $2,325 with its contents included, multiple times following their presumed abduction.
Brinton was released following a hearing without posting bail and forbidden from having contact with any of the victims. This news comes to us courtesy of Fox News.
At 35 years of age, Brinton is additionally dealing with a serious charge of grand larceny in Nevada. Prosecutors claim that this summer he and an unnamed companion stole another person’s suitcase, valued at $320 USD, from Harry Reid International Airport.
Police officials reported that the suitcase held an extensive assortment of luxurious jewelry, fashionable clothing, and fine makeup worth a total of over $3,500.
In December, they made an appearance in Las Vegas court and were set free after paying a $15,000 bond. The judge overseeing the case then warned them to “steer clear of any potential issues” that could get them into further trouble.
Following the accusations, Brinton was suspended from their post as deputy assistant secretary for spent fuel and waste disposition at the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy. Eventually, they were terminated due to these claims.
Before their eventual dismissal, several House Republicans had demanded that Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm fire Brinton from the DOE.
If convicted, they may be sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment for the Minnesota theft and up to ten years in prison for the Las Vegas heist.
