NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – In his nine years as a Transportation Security Administration screener John Deschamp has found a lot of personal items, including engagement rings and laptops.

What he found on Dec. 27 on the floor of Terminal C at Newark Liberty Airport was extraordinary — $5,000 in cash.

“When I got close enough I noticed that it was pretty much a wad of money,” the 36-year-old told WCBS 880’s Marla Diamond. “It was half folded up, like someone tried to place it in their pocket and missed.”

He immediately turned the money over to United Airlines since the cash was found near the United Elite Access check-in desk.

The money will likely go to charity if it is not claimed, according to a report.

The TSA has received plenty of negative press recently and Deschamp is trying to change that.

“I came out so everybody can understand that it’s not all about bad things,” Deschamp said.