Not the brightest thing they could have done.
FT. CAMPBELL, Ky. — The U.S. Attorney’s Office said four people were sentenced for conspiring to steal and sell U.S. Army equipment to foreign nations.
According to U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee, four of the seven people involved in the case were sentenced on Tuesday.
Clarksville neighbor John Roberts was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to repay $4.2 million in restitution to the Army. On Aug. 31, a judge found him guilty of conspiring to steal and sell U.S. Army property, 10 counts of wire fraud, and two counts of violating the Arms Export Control Act.
Trial evidence showed Roberts conspired with soldiers, who took equipment after hours, and then paid them in cash for the stolen goods. Roberts then resold the military equipment on Ebay to customers in Russia, China, Thailand, Japan, the Netherlands, Australia, India, Germany and Mexico.The U.S Attorney’s Office said Roberts knew the soldiers who helped him were struggling with financial problems or serious drug addiction.
Items Roberts sold items advertised as “Army Special Forces,” “USGI” (U.S. Government Issued), and “New in Package” on Ebay including:
- sniper telescopes and other sniper rifle accessories
- parts for the M249 machine gun (including barrel assemblies, trigger groups, rail adapter kits, magazine buttstocks, mounts, and heat shields)
- sights for the M203 grenade launcher
- “red dot” sights for the M2 and M4 assault rifles
- flight helmets
- communications headsets
- medical supplies
- other restricted U.S. Army equipment including night vision helmet mounts
Three other people sentenced
Alexander Hollibaugh, formerly of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and sell U.S. Army property. He was sentenced to time served and placed on probation.
U.S. Army Specialist Dustin Nelson, 23, of Northville, New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and sell U.S. Army property. He was sentenced to three years of probation.
Aaron Warner, of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and sell U.S. Army property. He was sentenced to three years of probation.
What’s next
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