Border Patrol supervisor in Maine accused of modifying government computers
Calais Port Supervisor Arrested for Alleged Computer‑Part Swaps and Online Trade‑Ins
Bangor, Maine— A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervisor in Calais was taken into custody on Wednesday after investigators said he replaced agency‑owned computer components with older, non‑compliant parts and then used the stolen hardware in Newegg’s trade‑in program. The 39‑year‑old officer faces charges of theft and destruction of government property, each punishable by up to ten years in federal prison and a $100,000 fine.
The Allegations
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent Christopher White provided an affidavit to U.S. District Court in Bangor in which he detailed the supervisor’s conduct. White said the officer, Terry Liu, had repeatedly swapped out 14th‑generation processors, memory modules, and hard drives on multiple CBP computers for older models. The replacements were not approved by the agency’s IT staff, and many of the altered machines were re‑connected to the CBP network.
White noted that CBP’s Office of Professional Standards had already opened an investigation in January, citing “various actions taken while on duty and in his official capacity.” The agency had earlier this year reported that 46 government computers had been modified without authorization across three area ports. The cost to replace the older parts Liu used was estimated at more than $20,000, while replacing all 46 machines could exceed $105,000.
Evidence of Unauthorized Work
Surveillance footage from the Calais port showed Liu working on computers after midnight in January and March of this year. The footage captured the officer in a desk area opposite the cargo section, a location where no other officers were expected to be present during the overnight shift. FBI investigators said that a camera installed over his desk in early March was part of a broader inquiry.
White also cited Liu’s online history and Newegg.com records, which revealed that the supervisor had ordered several older‑generation parts and had them shipped to addresses in Maine and New Hampshire. The records also indicated that Liu received a $200 trade‑in credit for each part on three separate occasions, paid through his Delta SkyMiles Platinum credit card.
Statements from the Investigation
In a March email, CBP Port Director Theodore Cummings reminded Liu that he was not permitted to “move any computers or computer parts.” Cummings added, “I do appreciate the intent but we should stay in our lane and report deficiencies through the work ticket process.” White’s affidavit said that the modifications were never authorized by the agency’s IT team.
When confronted on Wednesday, Liu admitted knowing that the changes had degraded CBP’s computer‑system efficiency. “I did it because I was angry with how long it took for CBP IT systems to be repaired,” he allegedly said. He also acknowledged using the agency parts for Newegg’s trade‑in program to receive credit.
Legal Proceedings
Liu’s first appearance in U.S. District Court was Thursday. Judge orders he remain in the custody of U.S. Marshals pending trial. His court‑appointed attorney, Phil Noland, declined to comment, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine also declined to provide remarks. A CBP spokesperson was unable to confirm whether Liu was still employed by the agency at the time of his arrest.
What’s Next
The case is now in federal court in Bangor, where the officer will face the charges of theft and destruction of government property. If convicted, the maximum sentence is ten years in prison and a $100,000 fine. The outcome of the case will determine whether the officer’s alleged trade‑in credits and the alleged system inefficiencies will be considered mitigating factors.
Maine News Now will continue to follow the proceedings in this case.
