Miami Airport Employee Faces Grand Theft After $1.2M Cellphones Stolen

April 1, 2023 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements, Theft/Property Crimes Social Share

When a person commits a criminal offense at an airport, the penalties can be severe. In one recent Florida case, an employee with the airport is now facing grand theft charges after stealing over $1 million in cell phones.

This page will provide the case details along with information on theft charges in Florida, and common criminal offenses in the airport.

What was the Incident?

The Miami-Dade Police have arrested Eduardo Miguel Rivera-Paz in relation to a grand theft offense at the Miami International Airport. According to the report, a cargo container that was supposed to be filled with nearly $1.2 million Samsung cell phones was instead replaced with sandbags.

An employee with DHL Express reported the theft after the cargo container arrived without the intended cell phones in Bogota, Columbia. Authorities were able to receive a surveillance video from the airport, which identified Rivera-Paz as the “third-party supervisor” with the DHL facility.

In the video, Rivera-Paz is shown next to the container marked as “AAX 9568” and later returned with an unidentified man. The man is shown taking the cargo container and loading it into a trailer.

After three hours, Rivera-Paz contacted DHL security claiming he needed a cargo bay door opened to get two empty aluminum cans from the trailer. The container—now filled with sandbags to replace the cell phones—was loaded back onto the tarmac for its flight to Columbia.

Once authorities determined the suspect was Rivera-Paz in the video, he was arrested Sunday morning and is being held on a $300,000 bond. The defendant is now facing three charges of grand theft.

Theft Charges in Florida

Florida separates theft charges into two categories: petit theft and grand theft. A person would face petit theft charges for a lesser theft offense, whereas the more serious theft offenses would result in a grand theft charge.

Florida Statute Section 812.014 defines theft as when an individual knowingly obtains or uses, or endeavors to do either, of the property of another person in order to temporarily or permanently:

• Deprive the person (owner) of the right to his or her property; or
• Appropriate the property to his or her own use or to the use of any person not entitled to the use of the property.

The amount stolen, the type of property stolen, and the surrounding circumstances have an effect on the severity on the crime charge.

A person can be charged with petit theft in the second-degree if they have committed the lowest of theft offenses. The stolen property is valued at less than $100. A person who is charged with second-degree petit theft can face a second-degree misdemeanor. In Florida, the penalties for a second-degree misdemeanor include up to a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail.

A person can be charged with petit theft in the first-degree if the stolen item or property is valued between $100 and $750. A person accused of first-degree petit theft can face a first-degree misdemeanor. In Florida, the penalties for a first-degree misdemeanor include up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year of imprisonment.

The more severe charge of theft is when it is considered grand theft.

A person can be charged with grand theft in the third-degree if the stolen item or property is considered any of the following:

• Valued over $750 but less than $20,000;
• A person’s will, codicil, or other testamentary instrument;
• A firearm;
• A motor vehicle;
• A commercial farm animal;
• A fire extinguisher;
• Over 2,000 pieces of fruit;
• A construction site item or property;
• A stop sign; and/or
• Any amount of a controlled substance.

A person charged with third-degree grand theft faces a felony in the third-degree. In Florida, the penalties for a third-degree felony include up to a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

A person can be charged with grand theft in the second-degree if the stolen item or property is considered any of the following:

• Valued between $20,000 and $100,000;
• Cargo valued less than $50,000 when it has gone into interstate or intrastate commerce;
• Law enforcement equipment or medical equipment valued over $300; and/or
• Valued between $5,000 and $20,000 if it is considered looting or during a riot.

A person charged with second-degree grand theft faces a felony in the second-degree. In Florida, the penalties for a second-degree felony include up to a $10,000 fine and up to 15 years of imprisonment.

The most serious offense is grand theft in the first-degree. A person can be charged with grand theft in the first-degree if the stolen item or property is considered any of the following:

• Valued at $100,000 or more;
• Cargo valued over $50,000 when it has gone into interstate or intrastate commerce;
• A law enforcement officer’s vehicle or semitrailer;
• Any grand theft offense in which it results in over $1,000 in damages;
• Any grand theft offense in which the defendant uses a motor vehicle as one of the instruments of the criminal offense; and/or
• Second-degree grand theft which occurs during a riot or other declared state of emergency in which the conditions facilitated the theft act.

A person charged with first-degree grand theft faces a felony in the first-degree. In Florida, the penalties for a first-degree felony include up to a $10,000 fine and up to 30 years of imprisonment.

Crime at Florida Airports

Given the nature of an airport and the constant movement of people, it is not uncommon for people to attempt criminal offenses while in the airport. The types of offenses may vary on the location, size, and security of the specific airport. However, the following is a list of the most common criminal offenses which take place in Florida:

• Theft and pickpocketing – Considering the volume of foot traffic and how busy airports are, it makes it a prime location for attempts of theft or pickpocketing.
• Drug offenses – Drug trafficking is a serious offense anywhere. It is common for airports to be the location of drug trafficking for controlled substances coming in and out of the state and the U.S.
• Disorderly conduct – This type of offense can include any disruptive behavior, public intoxication, and other forms of behavior that can disrupt the peace and safety of an airport.
• Assault – Airports can have crowded areas or situations where passengers are upset or frustrated, which can lead to instances of assault.
• Fraud and identity theft – In spaces where passengers may be vulnerable, such as in security lines or at ticket counters, they may be subject to fraud or identity theft offenses.

Important: Crimes that take place within an airport can be charged by both State and Federal authorities. This is because although U.S. airports are usually operated by local and state authorities, they may still subject to federal law enforcement jurisdiction. Certain offenses such as drug trafficking or acts of terrorism are considered a federal offenses; however, other criminal offenses may fall under the federal jurisdiction as well.

In any case, getting arrested in the airport is extremely serious. It is imperative to speak with a legal representative as soon as possible.

Finding a Defense Attorney in Tallahassee, Florida

If you or someone you know has been arrested at an airport, it is in your best interest to seek out a Florida criminal defense attorney. Facing criminal allegations causes stress and anxiety, and it may leave you feeling as if you have no hope. However, that is not the case when you work with one of the attorneys at Pumphrey Law Firm. Our team of attorneys will stand by your side and fight for your freedom.

Don Pumphrey and the his attorneys have spent years representing Florida residents who are falsely accused of a criminal offense. We vow to provide top-quality defense throughout your entire case. Call (850) 681-7777 or leave an online message to receive a free consultation regarding your case.

Written by Karissa Key

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