Christopher Southerland, a 43-year-old resident of Glen Burnie, Maryland, was arrested and charged in a federal indictment for allegedly stealing around 240 government cell phones from the U.S. House of Representatives. The total value of the stolen devices is estimated to exceed $150,000, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Prosecutors state that Southerland worked as a system administrator for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure between April 2020 and July 2023. In this role, he had authorization to order cell phones for committee staff members.
The indictment alleges that from January through May 2023, Southerland arranged for 240 new government cell phones to be shipped directly to his home in Maryland. During this period, the committee had about 80 staff members. Authorities say Southerland sold more than 200 of these phones at a local pawn shop.
According to investigators, Southerland instructed an employee at the pawn shop to sell the devices “in parts” as a way to avoid detection by circumventing the House’s mobile device management software. This software allows remote security and monitoring of official phones.
The alleged scheme came to light when one of the stolen phones was sold intact on eBay and purchased by someone not involved in the theft. Upon activating the phone, the buyer saw contact information for the House Technology Service Desk and called that number. This prompted House employees to realize several devices ordered by Southerland were missing.
The investigation is being conducted by U.S. Capitol Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake Green is prosecuting the case with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sabena Auyeung and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Courtney.
“An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” stated officials.
