The allegations center on Liu’s work at the Calais Port of Entry along the U.S.-Canada border in Maine, where he served as a CBP supervisor.
According to an affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Christopher J. White, the unusual activity came to light after CBP technology personnel discovered in December 2025 that government computers had apparently been opened and altered without authorization.
What investigators subsequently uncovered was far more extensive than a single modified workstation.
Authorities ultimately identified 46 computers containing unauthorized hardware changes. Thirty-eight were located at Calais, another six were at Ferry Point, and two were at Milltown.
Federal investigators say processors had been switched in 39 computers. RAM had allegedly been changed in six machines, while hard drives were replaced in eight. Several computers had reportedly undergone multiple modifications.
The government machines originally contained relatively new components, including 14th-generation Intel Core i7-14700 processors.
Investigators allege those valuable processors were removed and replaced with older and less capable hardware, including 12th- and 13th-generation Intel processors as well as Intel Pentium chips.
The replacement components allegedly came from retailers including Amazon and Newegg and failed to satisfy CBP’s technical specifications.
Even more troubling for an agency responsible for protecting America’s borders, many of the altered computers were reportedly put back into service and reconnected to CBP’s network.
Management had apparently already warned Liu about interfering with government computer equipment.
Port Director Theodore Cummings issued Liu a direct written instruction on March 18, 2025:
“Please do not move any computers or computer parts.”
Investigators eventually turned to surveillance cameras.
One camera was installed in a previously unmonitored training room on January 6, while another monitored the area above Liu’s desk.
According to the affidavit, the recordings captured Liu working during overnight shifts when relatively few other employees were around.
Investigators say footage showed him opening computer cases and using a screwdriver in a way consistent with removing thermal paste from processors. He was also allegedly recorded switching components and testing computers afterward.
The investigation then followed the hardware trail.
Federal authorities allege Liu submitted original government-owned components to Newegg’s trade-in program.
Investigators discovered 13 emails containing shipping labels and trade-in information corresponding with processor models used by CBP. The offers listed in those records reportedly included payments of $200 or $210 per processor.
Newegg records allegedly revealed 16 transactions involving 14th-generation Intel Core i7 processors between May 2025 and July 2026.
Credit-card records showed at least $600 in credits connected to the transactions, while emails referenced trade-in offers totaling at least $2,660, according to investigators.
The alleged financial benefit to Liu was only part of the damage.
CBP estimated that restoring the original components would cost the government more than $20,000. Replacing all 46 affected computers would cost more than $105,000.
Liu was interviewed by investigators on September 9.
According to the affidavit, he acknowledged replacing components inside CBP computers with older equipment and admitted putting government hardware into Newegg’s trade-in program in exchange for credit.
Liu initially claimed his motivation was to make the computers more efficient.
Investigators say that explanation did not hold up under additional questioning.
Liu allegedly acknowledged that he understood the substitutions actually reduced the computers’ performance. He reportedly attributed his actions to frustration over how long CBP’s official IT repair process took.
Importantly, the federal affidavit does not accuse Liu of installing malicious software on the computers or sending sensitive government information outside CBP.
The case nevertheless raises obvious concerns because the computers were used by an agency entrusted with border security and because numerous altered machines were allegedly returned to the government’s network.
CBP’s Office of Professional Standards had already opened an investigation in January concerning actions Liu allegedly took while working.
Federal prosecutors are now seeking to keep Liu behind bars while the case moves forward.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Ruge argued that Liu presented a potential flight risk because of what prosecutors characterized as “recent and frequent international travel” and “apparent foreign connections and substantial means with which to flee.”
Liu has reportedly described himself on social media as originally being from Guangzhou, China. Social-media material also reportedly indicated that he participated in the 2020 U.S. election.
CBP officer positions require American citizenship.
The allegations against Liu are particularly striking because this was not simply a dispute over workplace computer maintenance.
If prosecutors prove their case, a federal border-security supervisor repeatedly opened government computers, removed newer and more valuable components, replaced them with inferior equipment, and then used taxpayer-owned hardware to obtain personal trade-in credits — even after receiving a written instruction not to move computer equipment.
For an agency tasked with safeguarding America’s borders and handling sensitive federal systems, the alleged conduct is now putting one of its own supervisors under an uncomfortable spotlight.
Liu remains charged, not convicted, and the allegations against him will have to be proven in court.
