WASHINGTON (7News) — A former U.S. House of Representatives employee has been charged with stealing approximately 240 government cell phones, valued at over $150,000, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced.

Christopher Southerland, 43, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, was arrested Friday following a federal indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court.

SEE ALSO | Higher utility bills hit DC, Northern Virginia as rate hikes take effect

Southerland, who worked for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as a system administrator from April 2020 until July 2023, allegedly ordered cell phones intended for committee staff members. Between January and May 2023, he reportedly had 240 new government cell phones shipped directly to his home, despite there being only about 80 staff members on the committee at the time.

According to the indictment, Southerland sold over 200 of these phones to a nearby pawn shop. He allegedly instructed a pawn shop employee to sell the phones “in parts” to circumvent the House’s mobile device management software, which allows remote security and monitoring of its phones.

SEE ALSO | MPD response on immigration, crime data allegations sparks repeat questions from council

The scheme came to light when one of the stolen phones was sold whole on eBay. The buyer, upon activating the phone, saw a contact number for the House of Representatives Technology Service Desk and called it. This led to the discovery that several phones ordered by Southerland were missing.

Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Green for the District of Columbia.