Theriault was with Apple for four years

John Theriault, Apple's Vice President of Global Security, has left the company following the controversial iPhone 4S investigation in San Francisco, 9to5Mac is reporting. Theriault has been with Apple for over four years, having joined the company after serving as Chief Security Office at Pfizer. He is a former FBI agent and has been particularly active in fighting the growing problem of counterfeit Apple products in China. Apple has not commented on the report.

While the timing of Theriault's departure may be coincidental, it follows a series of strange events surrounding the loss of an iPhone 4S prototype last summer after an engineer accidentally left it behind at a restaurant (a story quite similar to the circumstances surrounding the loss of an original iPhone 4 prototype in a bar in April of 2010). This time, the company used the "Find My iPhone" technology to track the device down to a private residence, but despite repeated visits Apple's security team were unable to locate the prototype. The person who lives at the residence, 22-year-old Sergio Calderon, has offered conflicting stories about what happened.

Apple Security is alleged to have talked the San Francisco Police Department into accompanying them back to the residence where a search was initiated of the premises, but again turned up empty-handed. The department is investigating how it handled the incident.

While at Apple, Theriault reported directly to Senior Vice President and General Counsel Bruce Sewell. His security department was dubbed the "World Wide Loyalty Team" on the company's organizational chart. His departure follows that of Apple Senior Vice President of Retail Ron Johnson. [via 9to5Mac]

by MacNN Staff