Former Computer Systems Administrator at Federal Public Defender’s Office Charged with Stealing Government Property

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Noah Fallon, Acting Investigations Branch Chief for the Federal Protective Service, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging PETERSON BERNADEL, 39, of Meriden, with offenses related to the theft of government property.

The indictment alleges that Bernadel was a Computer Systems Administrator (CSA) at the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Connecticut (FDO). As a CSA, he had physical access to the FDO's inventory of digital and electronic devices, including computers, tablet computers, cellular telephones, and other devices. He also had the ability to add, remove, and edit information contained in their digital inventory record-keeping system. Bernadel stole property from the FDO, including iPads, Apple and Dell computers, a Mavic drone, and a Canon digital camera, and exchanged the items for cash at pawn shops. He also falsified an inventory record related to an Apple laptop computer that he had stolen and pawned.

The indictment, which was returned on March 24, 2026, charges Bernadel with eight counts of theft of government property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count, and one count of falsifying records and information, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Bernadel was arrested on April 1, 2026. He is released on a $50,000 bond pending trial.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George.