Former screening supervisor at McCarran pleads guilty to theft

John W. Miller, 35, who worked for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, told U.S. District Judge James Mahan that he stole the money last June to help pay his bills.

Mahan set a July 18 sentencing.

The judge could sentence Miller to a maximum one year in prison and $100,000 fine. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob MacDonald said in court that a plea agreement recommends Miller spend six months in a federal halfway house and be placed on three years of probation.

The agreement also calls for 80 hours of community service and repayment of the stolen $2,000, MacDonald said.

In return for the plea, prosecutors are dismissing a felony embezzlement charge against Miller, who is free on a personal recognizance bond.

TSA officials said Miller worked for the federal agency from November 2002 until last September. He was removed from screening operations in August after the theft allegations surfaced.

Miller had worked at McCarran since May 2004, becoming a lead transportation security officer in April 2006, officials said. He oversaw a team of several screeners.

"TSA holds its employees to the highest professional and ethical standards," TSA spokeswoman Carrie Harmon said in a statement. "TSA aggressively investigates allegations of theft and works closely with law enforcement authorities to ensure that individuals responsible are prosecuted.

"We move to end the federal careers of any employee who engages in illegal activity on the job. The actions of a few individuals in no way reflect on the outstanding job our nearly 50,000 security officers do every day to ensure the security of the traveling public."

Miller’s lawyer, Assistant Federal Public Defender Jason Carr, declined to comment outside the courtroom after the guilty plea was entered.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.