A local computer programmer will spend up to 12 years in prison for stealing nearly $300,000 from area businesses.

Daryl L. Shupp stole most of the money— about $292,000 — while employed 10 years as information technology manager at Credit Bureau of Lancaster, according to court testimony.

Shupp, 37, went on to steal about $2,500 while performing similar duties at Laser Lab in Ephrata, it was said at his sentencing Friday.

Kelley Lutz, president of the Lancaster Credit Bureau, said the thefts could have crippled the business. Employees were put on pay freezes because of the lost funds, according to testimony.

"Daryl Shupp didn't steal from Credit Bureau of Lancaster in a sweatshirt and ski mask," she said, while a dozen employees listened in the gallery. "Daryl Shupp stole in a collared shirt."

Some of the employees nodded their heads after Lancaster County Judge Howard Knisely ordered a sentence of 4-12 years in state prison, followed by 7 years of probation. Shupp also was ordered to pay back the mammoth restitution costs.

Shupp, a short and stocky former Marine, pleaded guilty in June to dozens of felony and misdemeanor theft counts.

"Whatever I have to do to make this right I'm prepared to do," he said before turning to his former co-workers. "Hopefully, someday, (they) can forgive me. I'm sorry."

Knisely scolded Shupp for going on to steal from a second business after being caught and terminated from Credit Bureau of Lancaster.

"This was a deviant and calculated scheme to defraud," the judge said. "The Credit (Bureau) not only lost a large amount of money, but employees also lost benefits."

Lutz, standing a few steps from Shupp, said the former Marine seemed an ideal candidate for the job when he was hired in 2005.

"One of the core values of the Marines is honor," she said.

In many cases, Shupp directed Lutz to write checks for software or computer programs or services; Shupp then deposited the checks into an account he created, court documents show.

"Knowledge was power for him," she said. "He stole from an employer who was good and fair. He repeated his behavior (with) another employer."

"We seek closure," Lutz told the judge. "We want to move on. His crimes were devious, calculated and perpetual."

Assistant District Attorney Maria Cusick said Shupp's bilking of a pair of companies warrants a harsh sentence.

"He did it at the first place, then turns around and does it again," she said.

bhambright@lnpnews.com