A U.S. border supervisor secretly swapped out government computers and sold the parts for personal gain.
Terry Liu, 39, a Customs and Border Protection supervisor at the Calais Port of Entry in Maine, was arrested in September 2026. He now faces one count of theft of government property and one count of destruction of government property in U.S. District Court in Bangor. Each charge carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The scheme came to light on December 19, 2025, when CBP information technology staff found that multiple computers had been altered with no authorization from management or IT personnel. A full inventory turned up 46 affected machines. Thirty-eight were at Calais, six at Ferry Point, and two at Milltown.
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Among the 46 computers, 39 had their central processing units replaced, six had memory swapped, and eight had hard drives changed. Some machines were hit with more than one type of alteration. The original components included high-performance 14th-generation Intel Core i7-14700 processors. Liu replaced them with older, lower-grade 12th- or 13th-generation Intel chips or Intel Pentium models that did not meet CBP standards. Many of those downgraded computers were then reconnected to the CBP network.
As originally reported, investigators installed cameras after Port Director Theodore Cummings had already issued a written order to Liu on March 18, 2025, telling him directly, “Please do not move any computers or computer parts.” Liu ignored it.
Camera footage told the rest of the story. Video from a training room camera placed January 6 and from a camera positioned above Liu’s own desk caught him working through midnight shifts, removing computer panels, scraping thermal paste from processors with a screwdriver, swapping parts, and testing the machines. He typically worked those overnight hours when almost no other officers were around.
Liu then submitted the original government-issued processors to Newegg’s trade-in program. Investigators found 13 emails with shipping labels and trade-in summaries for matching processor models, with offers of $200 to $210 per unit. Newegg records confirmed 16 transactions involving 14th-generation Intel Core i7 chips between May 2025 and July 2026. Credit card records showed at least $600 in credits, and emails referenced trade-in offers totaling at least $2,660.
CBP estimated the cost to restore the original components at more than $20,000. Replacing all 46 computers outright would cost more than $105,000.
When investigators interviewed Liu on September 9, he admitted to swapping components and using government hardware in the Newegg trade-in program. He first claimed the changes were meant to improve efficiency. When pressed, he acknowledged the modifications actually degraded system performance. He said he acted out of frustration with how long CBP IT repairs typically took.
The affidavit does not allege any malware installation or transfer of government data outside the agency.
Prosecutors have asked that Liu remain detained, citing his recent and frequent international travel, apparent foreign connections, and substantial means to flee. Liu has described himself on social media as a native of Guangzhou, China. CBP officer positions require U.S. citizenship.
