FARMER CITY — A former Blue Ridge School District technology coordinator pleaded guilty on Thursday to defrauding the district of $336,276 over a two-year period.

Clinton resident Joshua Raymer, 45, appeared virtually before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Schanzle-Haskins.

According to the allegations, Raymer “falsely represented to a district official that computer switches failed, and replacements were needed to maintain the district’s computer system, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in Urbana.

Court documents show Raymer carried out the scheme between April 2016 and December 2018, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

“Raymer repeatedly used his position to have the district pay for more than 100 computer switches that it did not need, from two separate vendors, at a total cost of more than $400,000,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported in a media release.

An additional 28 switches were ordered that were never paid for, which resulted in a loss to the vendor of about $106,000.

Raymer admitted to selling the switches and using the money for himself. 

Raymer is scheduled to be sentenced on June 21.  As part of a plea agreement, he agreed to pay full restitution of $336,276 to the Blue Ridge School District and $106,000 to a computer vendor.

“Raymer has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $17,897 to Special Olympics of Illinois, where he worked after he was no longer employed by the school district,” reported the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Raymer had not been charged in this case.

Raymer could receive up to 20 years in prison under the statutory penalty for wire fraud.  U.S. attorneys have agreed to recommend a sentence applicable to the advisory Sentencing Guidelines range.

Farmer City Police Department conducted the investigation with the cooperation of the Blue Ridge School District, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported.