SAN DIEGO (CN) - A retired Border Patrol agent was criminally charged Wednesday with selling official Border Patrol badges, uniform and shoulder patches on the Craigslist Tijuana Web site. Carl David Pietrantonio listed the items for sale for $468, federal prosecutors said, adding, "The uniforms are the current version in use by the U.S. Border Patrol."
In its statement announcing the arraignment, the U.S. Attorney's Office added, "The items included a U.S. Border Patrol Firearms Instructor Jacket with badge patch, three short-sleeve uniform shirts with badge patches and shoulder patches, one long-sleeve uniform shirt with badge patch and shoulder patches, and three uniform pants."
The U.S. Attorney's Office added: "The complaint alleges that on or about January 13, 2009, the defendant sold U.S. Border Patrol items with agency identifying badge and shoulder patches."
Pietrantonio, 52, of Bellingham, Wash., pleaded not guilty. His next court date is March 11. The maximum penalty he faces is 6 months in jail.
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