CIA Agent Stole Jewelry, Panties

POSTED: 3:02 pm EST December 1, 2006

FAIRFAX, Va. -- A fired CIA employee has pleaded guilty to charges that he burglarized 10 homes near the agency's headquarters.

Prosecutors said George C. Dalmas III, 48, admitted in Fairfax County Circuit Court that he broke into the homes from October 2005 to January of this year. He was charged with taking items that included valuable jewelry, collectibles such as Camp David cuff links and 1,074 pairs of women's underwear.

His lawyer, Gary Moliken, said mental health issues, rather than greed, motivated Dalmas, whom he described as a pack rat. According to court documents, Dalmas never tried to pawn or sell the jewelry or other valuable goods.

Investigators said Dalmas was tracked down after a woman reported an intruder in January and gave police information from the license plates of the intruder's getaway car.

CIA officials said Dalmas worked for the agency for almost 20 years and was fired from his midlevel administrative post in August.

He faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the 10 burglaries when he's sentenced Feb. 9, though prosecutors and defense attorneys say he is likely to receive less time.