RALEIGH COUNTY, W.Va. (WVVA/Gray News) – A former employee of the Raleigh County school district has been charged with embezzlement after allegedly stealing more than $100,000 worth of school property.
Derek Keith Brooks, 39, was charged on April 17 with embezzlement and fraudulent scheme following an investigation led by the Beckley Police Department.
According to the affidavit for the warrant, the investigation began in February when the Raleigh County Board of Education reported concerns about an active employee selling school property on eBay. Authorities soon identified Brooks, who had been employed as the school system’s network administrator, as the suspect.
The investigation revealed that between November 2018 and February 2025, Brooks allegedly profited over $122,000 by selling school property, which included items such as iPads, iPhones, MacBooks, Apple TVs, and other electronic devices. Brooks is said to have removed or retired devices from the school district’s inventory and listed them for sale on eBay.
The total financial loss to the school district due to Brooks’ actions was estimated at more than $280,000, according to the affidavit.
