GAO Contractor Indicted In Laptop Theft Scheme

A former GAO contractor has been indicted in a scheme to steal and resell government laptops and other equipment.

Thirty-seven-year-old Darryl Lyles of Capitol Heights pleaded not guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to charges of wire fraud, theft of government property, interstate transportation of stolen property, possession of stolen goods and first-degree theft.

Prosecutors say while Lyles worked at the Government Accountability Office in 2006 and 2007, he stole or caused to be stolen 30 laptops and a projector. They say he then posted advertisements for the items on craigslist.

If convicted, Lyles faces up to 60 years in prison; under sentencing guidelines he faces a range of three to four years of imprisonment.