WASHINGTON — A Maryland man who worked as an information technology contractor for the Department of Justice admitted Tuesday to stealing more than $1.3 million by ordering thousands of unneeded government cell phones and reselling them, federal prosecutors said.
Javan King, 42, of Laurel, pleaded guilty Feb. 10, 2026, to one count of mail fraud. U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for May 26, 2026.
According to court documents, King was assigned to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division between 2021 and 2025. During that time, he submitted requests for mobile devices the department did not require and had them shipped to him at DOJ offices.
Prosecutors said King then diverted the phones to resale businesses, which paid him more than $1.3 million. In addition to the cost of the devices, the department also incurred service fees for phone lines that were never legitimately needed.
King acknowledged that his conduct caused the department to suffer losses exceeding $1.3 million.
The case was investigated by the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman.
Mail fraud carries a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by the court after consideration of federal guidelines and statutory factors.
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