Former USCIS Contractor Faces Charge for Theft of Government Property
Greenbelt, Maryland / Thursday, September 17, 2026 – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced, today, that a Maryland man made his initial appearance in federal court in connection with a felony theft charge.
Bankole Olaniyi Akinfe, 49, of Laurel, is charged by criminal complaint with theft of government property. This prosecution is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the criminal complaint with Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari Ph.D., Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG).
According to the criminal complaint, beginning in December 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services headquarters employed Akinfe as a contractor in its Information Technology Customer Support Center. On August 27, 2026, Akinfe was observed removing at least 10 Random-Access Memory (RAM) modules from USCIS laptops without authorization. Akinfe was further observed putting the RAM modules in his pocket and taking them off the premises.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by criminal complaint are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
If convicted, Akinfe faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison since the total value of the stolen government property exceeds $1,000.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended DHS-OIG for its work on this case. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle A. Li, who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Contact
Kevin Nash
USAMD.Press@usdoj.gov
410-209-4946
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland
