Sean M. Nelson, Theft of Government Property, Arizona 2022

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Sean M. Nelson, a 44-year-old former Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent from Mesa, Arizona, has been sentenced for theft from the agency.

Nelson pleaded guilty to Theft of Government Property in October 2022 and agreed to resign from the Department of Homeland Security – HSI as part of his plea agreement with the government.

Between November 2019 and October 2021, Nelson worked without permission or authorization for several private companies while on duty for HSI, using his government-owned vehicle for such unauthorized outside work.

Nelson drove the vehicle, which he agreed to use only for HSI duty purposes, while working for Amazon, Uber, and Lyft during time periods he was supposed to be working for HSI. His actions resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in losses to the government.

“As a result of the conviction, Mr. Nelson has forfeited much of his salary during the time period of his on-the-job criminal activity, and as a federal felon he’ll never lawfully possess or use a firearm ever again,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “His dereliction of duty was a grave disservice to his hard-working law enforcement colleagues and the taxpayers alike.”

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Sean K. Lokey, District of Arizona, handled the prosecution.

Nelson was sentenced to two years of federal probation and ordered to pay $133,999 in restitution to the Department of Homeland Security.

Mandatory Facts:

1. Defendant: Sean M. Nelson

2. Exact Criminal Charges: Theft of Government Property

3. City and State: PHOENIX, Ariz.

4. Exact Date: October 2022

5. Sentence or Outcome: Two years of federal probation and ordered to pay $133,999 in restitution

6. Dollar Amounts: $133,999

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Public Corruption

City Council Set to Discuss Hiring of Female Police Officer, Mankato MN, 1921

Jun 3, 1921

Public Corruption

Racial Tensions Run Deep in Hartford

Feb 1, 1947

Public Corruption

Nathan B Scott, Election Tampering, West Virginia 2023

Aug 13, 1903

Public Corruption

Arlen B. Cenac, Jr., Making False Statements, Louisiana 2008

Nov 18, 2014