Federal prosecutors have charged Christopher Southerland, a former congressional IT aide, with stealing approximately 240 government-issued cellphones worth over $150,000. Southerland, 43, from Glen Burnie, Maryland, allegedly abused his position to order the phones and have them shipped to his home. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, he then sold most of these phones at a pawn shop.
Southerland worked as a system administrator for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from April 2020 to July 2023. His role allowed him to order mobile devices for committee staff, giving him access to the procurement system for government-issued phones. Prosecutors allege that between January and May 2023, Southerland ordered the phones despite the committee having only about 80 staff members.
The scheme was uncovered when a stolen phone surfaced online. A buyer purchased one of the phones on eBay and, upon powering it on, saw a contact number for the House of Representatives Technology Service Desk. This led to an investigation by House officials, revealing that multiple phones ordered under Southerland’s account were missing. The U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Green prosecuting.
Southerland’s scheme involved instructing a pawn shop employee to sell the devices “in parts” to bypass the House’s mobile device management software. However, one device was sold intact, leading to its discovery. If convicted, Southerland faces serious legal consequences.
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