DA: Immigration agent stole from deportees

A federal immigration and customs enforcement agent has been arrested for stealing from deportees, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said this morning.

Agent Justin Ford, 31, was charged with theft, receiving stolen property, official oppression and conspiracy after he allegedly stole $200 from an undercover officer posing as a deportee during a Feb. 24 sting, Williams said. A detainee's complaint that he was missing money prompted the sting, said Gregory K. Null, special agent in charge of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General.

After his arrest, Ford admitted he'd stolen from deportees two or three times before, taking about $750 altogether, Null said. "(But) we have no way to determine the total number of times or the total amount," Null said.

The undercover officer posed as a prisoner who ICE agents needed to take to York County Prison, Williams said.

The fake deportee carried $2,000 in marked bills, which Ford took — returning all but $200 by the time they arrived in York, Williams said. The intake officer in York took the money from the undercover officer and gave it to investigators, who confirmed $200 was missing, Williams said. Police arrested Ford when he returned to Philly and officers found the two marked $100 bills on him, Williams said.

"Agent Justin Ford was willing to throw away his entire career over $200," Williams said. "No one is above the law ... Our continued priority is to ensure the public's trust in the criminal justice system."