Lawrenceville Man Helped Brother Steal Computers From State: AG

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — A Lawrenceville man stands accused of helping his brother steal 28 computers from the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced on Monday.

Darryl Jester, 55, has been indicted on third-degree charges of conspiracy, receiving stolen property and fencing. Authorities said Jester helped his brother, 49-year-old Corey Jester of Freehold, sell some of the computers, knowing that they were stolen.

Corey Jester has been indicted on charges of second-degree computer theft, third-degree conspiracy, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, third-degree receiving stolen property, third-degree fencing and third-degree misapplication of entrusted property of government.

Jester formerly was employed by a company contracted by the state to provide temporary IT staff, authorities said. He was contracted in 2017 to be a temporary employee at the IT help desk for the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA).

SDA is a state agency responsible for overhauling the infrastructure of hundreds of schools throughout the state. It is an independent organization within the New Jersey State Department of the Treasury.

During that time, authorities say he stole 28 computers worth a total of between $25,000 and $30,000 from a storage closet he had access to. This included mini PC computers and laptops. Authorities say he wiped the computers clean and installed new software before selling them online for between $100 and $200 each.

Both Jester brothers were arrested by New Jersey State Police on Jan. 9. SDA initially noticed the computers were missing in December. After a brief investigation, it referred the case to the Division of Criminal Justice.

“This case reflects our resolve to work with other governmental agencies to guard state property and taxpayer dollars vigilantly,” Grewal said. “The Schools Development Authority quickly discovered these thefts, and our detectives and attorneys in the State Police and Division of Criminal Justice, assisted by the SDA, diligently investigated and secured this indictment.”

“This indictment should serve as a strong warning to dishonest actors who might consider using their government employment and access to public property as an opportunity to steal,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We urge any member of the public who suspects that government property is being misused to contact us confidentially so that we can investigate.”

“By stealing computers from the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, Jester was stealing from the children of our State,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “This collaborative effort of our Official Corruption Bureau with the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice resulted in the successful recovery of the stolen merchandise and arrests of the actors responsible.”

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The attached image of Darryl Jester was provided by the Attorney General’s Office