Wormleysburg Man Pleads Guilty To Theft From Federal Courthouse Construction Site

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gontaryk, age 47, of Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Gontaryk stole over $1,000 worth of construction materials belonging to the United States from the site of the U.S. Courthouse being constructed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 11, 2021.  The following day, he sold copper and brass construction materials that he had stolen at a metal scrapyard located in Pottsville, PA.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for theft of government money, property, or records is 10 years’ imprisonment. This charge may also carry a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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