Sam Brinton - the nonbinary former Biden administration official who has made news headlines in recent months for stealing - is set to undergo a mental health evaluation, Fox 9 KMSP reports.
Brinton has managed to avoid jail time for the two instances of theft that he was involved in - one in Las Vegas, Nevada, and another in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
But, Brinton will have to take part in an adult diversion program. And, as part of the program, he will, among other things, have to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Brinton, before all of this happened, was a member of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy. There, he oversaw nuclear waste policy. But, in December - after the thefts - Brinton left the administration.
As stated, one incident took place in Las Vegas and the other in Minneapolis. Both took place at airports: the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
The Las Vegas incident occurred first. After a bag was reported missing, authorities found security footage of the individual who took the bag, but they were unable to identify the suspect.
Then, in Minneapolis, Brinton was accused of theft, which caused the Las Vegas authorities to reopen their case because they then "immediately recognized" Brinton as the suspect that they had seen in the security footage.
Both criminal cases have now concluded.
Brinton was facing prison time, but it appears that he has been let off the hook.
In the Las Vegas case, Brinton has been ordered to pay a fine.
Fox News reported:
According to Clark County, Nevada, criminal court records, Brinton was ordered to pay $3,670.74 to the victim in the case and $500 in additional fees including a criminal fine. Clark County Judge Ann Zimmerman then handed Brinton a 180-day suspended jail sentence, a sentence that doesn't need to be served, and ordered Brinton to "stay out of trouble."
In the Minneapolis case, Brinton has now been ordered to enter an adult diversion program, which is typically used for non-violent defendants who do not have a criminal record.
Fox 9 KMSP reports:
As part of the adult diversion program, Brinton must have a mental health evaluation, must write a letter of apology to the victim, return any stolen property, and complete three days of community service.
In both cases, Brinton received significantly less than the maximum penalty.
