In a stunning turn of events, Sam Brinton, the embattled former senior Department of Energy (DOE) official, has been arrested by Maryland police as a “fugitive from justice.” This arrest is directly linked to allegations of airport luggage theft, marking the third criminal case involving Brinton.
County records reviewed by Fox News Digital reveal that Brinton was apprehended in Rockville, Maryland. The arrest was carried out by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police, the primary law enforcement agency for airports in the Washington, D.C., area. This development adds another layer of complexity to Brinton’s already controversial legacy.
According to James Johnson, a spokesperson for the MWAA, a search warrant was executed on May 17 in Montgomery County, Maryland, in response to allegations of stolen property in luggage from Reagan National Airport. This incident was initially reported in February 2023, triggering a swift response from law enforcement.
Assisted by the Montgomery County Police, the MWAA Police arrested Samuel Otis Brinton, a 35-year-old resident of Rockville, Maryland. Brinton is currently being held in custody, pending charges of Grand Larceny. The severity of the situation is evident from the actions taken by law enforcement.
Adding to the intrigue, a witness claiming to be Brinton’s neighbor shared exclusive details of the arrest with The Daily Wire, the first outlet to report on the incident. The witness recounted that Brinton was taken into custody shortly after the arrival of four unmarked police cars. Montgomery County Police Department spokesperson Shiera Goff confirmed their involvement, stating that the MWAA Police are leading the investigation.
Goff further elaborated, revealing that Brinton was arrested at their home on College Parkway at approximately 10 p.m. They are currently being held in the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit on a no-bond status, awaiting an extradition hearing. While details are scarce at this time, the arrest underscores the seriousness of the charges against Brinton.
This arrest comes just a month after Brinton narrowly avoided imprisonment in two separate cases in Minnesota and Nevada, both related to luggage thefts. Brinton made headlines last year when they were appointed as a non-binary gender-fluid person to oversee nuclear waste policy at the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy.
In October, Brinton faced charges of stealing a traveler’s baggage worth $2,325 from the luggage carousel at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Shortly thereafter, Las Vegas prosecutors charged Brinton with grand larceny for allegedly stealing a suitcase with an estimated value of $3,670 from Harry Reid International Airport. The suitcase contained jewelry, clothing, and makeup.
Despite facing a potential maximum sentence of 15 years for the two alleged thefts, Brinton managed to avoid jail time in both cases. However, these legal troubles have cast a shadow over their controversial tenure at the DOE.
The recent arrest also brings to light an accusation made by a female Tanzanian fashion designer based in Houston. In February, she claimed that Brinton had worn her custom designs, which were packed in luggage reported missing in 2018. The Houston police have referred this case to the FBI, further complicating Brinton’s situation.
As the dust settles on this latest arrest, questions arise about Brinton’s future and the impact of their alleged actions. With a string of theft charges now adding to their controversial legacy, it remains to be seen what lies ahead for Sam Brinton.
Source Fox News
