NEWARK — A Transportation Security Administration officer was fired this week after being accused by the agency of trying to sell a laptop computer taken from the lost and found area for items left at Newark Liberty International Airport, officials said today.

The TSA plans to turn the case over to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Newark for criminal prosecution.

"TSA has taken swift action against a Transportation Security Officer who was discovered unlawfully taking property from the agency’s lost and found department," the agency said in a statement today. "TSA will be presenting this case to law enforcement for prosecution and, as of Tuesday, July 6, the employee is no longer employed by the agency."

Ann Davis, a TSA spokeswoman, declined to elaborate on the statement, which was released in response to an inquiry from The Star-Ledger.

Theft of property in the custody of the federal government is a federal offense, even if the theft involves property belonging to an individual, such as items sent by the Postal Service or held at a lost and found office, said Special Agent Bryan L. Travers, a spokesman for the FBI’s Newark Office.

The fired officer, who has not been identified, had worked in the agency’s New Jersey headquarters in Union Township, which houses the lost and found department for Newark Liberty. Officials said the theft occurred several weeks ago, and that the officer was let go after being interviewed by agency officials.

The lost and found is a secured area the contains items left at TSA checkpoints by hurried, frazzled, nervous or otherwise distracted airline passengers, Davis said. Some items, like passports or drivers licenses, are easily traced to their owners, and promptly returned by the agency. Other items, however, jewelry, smart phones, portable computers and toys often go unclaimed, she said.

Staff writer Mike Frassinelli contributed to this report.

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