A commercial airline pilot from Texas who was deemed a "low-risk" by customs officials admitted to smuggling roughly $195,000 in cash into the country through Newark International Airport.
Fifty-five-year-old Anthony Warner pleaded guilty to a single charge of bulk cash smuggling on Thursday in Newark federal court after cutting a deal with prosecutors.
Prosecutors say Warner participated in Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program designed to speed up entry into the country for certain pre-approved travelers.
Because the Global Entry terminal at the airport was down, Warner had to present his customs declaration to a CBP officer on Jan. 10.
Customs officers discovered $195,736 in U.S. bills wrapped inside a newspaper in Warner's laptop bag.
Warner is facing up to five years in federal prison.
The Associated Press wire services helped contribute to this report.