MINNEAPOLIS (FOX Nine) – A former University of Minnesota worker was charged after allegedly using college finances to shop for almost 80 computer systems and selling them on Craigslist and at pawnshops, pocketing greater than $ hundred twenty-five 000, in line with the crook complaint. Michael James McDaniel, 34, of Lilydale, Minnesota, has been charged with four counts of robbery by swindle. According to college facts, McDaniel worked at the U of M from November 2007 to November 2018, running most recently as an administrative consultant for the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR).
A termination letter shows his university employment ended on Nov. 2. “Based on your robbery of substantial University property, your employment at the University of Minnesota is terminated,” study the letter in the component. According to the crook grievance, in October 2018, a finance representative noticed McDaniel had offered several computer systems at the University of Minnesota took place, but by no means had the computers registered with the CMRR branch. In additional research, University of Minnesota police officers learned McDaniel offered seventy-eight computer systems with CMRR finances between September 2017 and October 2018. The computer systems were collectively well worth $134,544. McDaniel wanted two other computer systems after human sources had tasted him.
When confronted by police, McDaniel claimed three men pulled him right into a dark SUV and informed him to buy the computers using his connections, but similarly, research unraveled his story. Officers received the serial numbers of the stolen computers and contacted Apple, which located some of the computers that might be spread all through the arena. Only six of the computer systems had been registered in Minnesota. Craigslist facts showed multiple postings promoting laptops with McDaniel’s quantity as a contact. Investigators additionally discovered McDaniel pawned five computer systems in 2017.
Investigators say McDaniel’s bank facts also showed a pattern. Soon after picking up the computers paid with college finances, he might deposit big coins into his bank account. From Sept. 29, 2017, to Feb. 5, 2019, McDaniel picked up 13 computer systems worth $20,831. He deposited more than $20,000 into his bank account during the equal term. From Feb. 9, 2018, to May 2, 2018, he got 22 computers worth $36,630. During this time, he deposited more than $30,000 coins.
From May 16, 2018, to July 30, 2018, McDaniel picked up 23 computer systems worth $forty 451. He deposited more than $40,000 in cash in this period. From Aug. 1, 2018, to Oct. 1, 2018, he picked up 20 computers worth $36,632. At that point, he deposited overthan $35,000 cash into his account. McDaniel has a document of swindling in Hennepin County, and he was charged in 2017 for returning empty iPad containers to Target stores. He completed a diversion application in January of 2018. McDaniel isn’t always in custody. Each of the four counts includes a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $100,000 first-rate.
