http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw1 ... 050727.htm

Immigration worker accused of stealing $300,000 from detainees

July 27, 2005, 6:37 AM

DETROIT (AP) -- A former federal Homeland Security employee accused of stealing about $300,000 from immigration detainees at the Monroe County jail has pleaded guilty to embezzlement, the U.S. attorney's office announced.

Patrick Wynne, 33, of Milan was charged last year and accused of carrying out thefts over four years while he worked for the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement section and its predecessor, the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The case came to light after immigrants began complaining when they could not get their property back after they were released from Monroe County.

Between 2000 and 2004, Wynne worked as a detention enforcement officer and immigration enforcement agent and was the property officer at the jail.

Authorities estimate that Wynne stole from more than 500 detainees.

Wynne entered the plea Tuesday before Detroit U.S. District Judge Julian Cook. Wynne faces sentencing Nov. 15 and could receive up to four years, nine months in prison and a $250,000 fine under a plea agreement with prosecutors, the Detroit Free Press said.

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Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com