Eight individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to steal millions of dollars in military property from the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
According to court documents and evidence presented during a trial, police officers with the Directorate of Emergency Services and other civilian employees at the Depot stole millions of dollars in military property from warehouses over a period of several years. The stolen items included equipment designed to be attached to military weapon systems to provide operators with instant nighttime engagement capabilities and/or improved target acquisition.
The stolen property was delivered to middlemen, who then sold it to the owner of a military surplus store. The conspirators split the money from the sale of the stolen property.
The following individuals were sentenced to federal prison in connection with their participation in the conspiracy:
Steve Bonner, 63, of Goodwater, a middleman, was found guilty of conspiracy to steal United States property. The court sentenced him to 30 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $1,873,200 to the United States Department of Defense.
Jerry Baker, 63, of Hokes Bluff, a Captain with the Directorate of Emergency Services, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal United States property. The court sentenced him to 25 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $3,750,000 to the United States Department of Defense.
Kelvin Battle, 54, of Anniston, a Sergeant with the Directorate of Emergency Services, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal United States property. The court sentenced him to 21 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $2,414,582 to the United States Department of Defense.
Eric Matraia, 54, of Munford, a guard with the Directorate of Emergency Services, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal United States property. The court sentenced him to 16 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $3,000,000 to the United States Department of Defense.
Shane Farthing, 42, of Gadsden, a guard with the Directorate of Emergency Services, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal United States property. The court sentenced him to 15 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $707,000 to the United States Department of Defense.
Christopher Price, 55, of Childersburg, the owner of a military surplus store in Sylacauga, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal United States property. The court sentenced him to 14 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $3,940,940 to the United States Department of Defense.
James Kenneth Scott, 73, of Sylacauga, a middleman, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal United States property. The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $3,500,000 to the United States Department of Defense.
Scott Bunch, 54, of Alexandria, a Defense Logistics Agency supervisor, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal United States property. The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison and ordered him to pay restitution of $3,750,000 to the United States Department of Defense.
“These sentences send a clear message that such criminal conduct will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “The successful investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrates the dedication of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to ensure that these defendants were brought to justice.”
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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