WASHINGTON – A US Army Sergeant from Fort Carson, Colorado, has pleaded guilty to his role in the theft of fuel at Forward Operating Base Fenty in Afghanistan, a scheme that cost the US over $1.5 million.
US Army Sergeant Christopher Weaver, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of bribery before US District Judge Marcia S. Krieger in the District of Colorado.
Weaver was involved in overseeing the delivery of fuel from FOB Fenty to other military bases in Afghanistan, but instead of transporting the fuel, he and his co-conspirators created fake documents to justify the theft of over 100 fuel trucks.
According to court documents, Weaver received payments from a military contractor in exchange for facilitating the theft, which he then sent back to the US by mailing cash inside a stuffed bear.
This is the second guilty plea in the investigation into fuel thefts at FOB Fenty. Weaver’s co-conspirator, Jonathan Hightower, 30, of Houston, pleaded guilty in August 2012 for his role in the scheme.
Prosecutors say the loss to the US as a result of the scheme was in excess of $1.5 million. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark W. Pletcher and Special Trial Attorney Mark H. Dubester, with the assistance of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction and other agencies.
The US Department of Justice has been cracking down on corruption and theft in the military, with several high-profile cases in recent years. The investigation into fuel thefts at FOB Fenty is one of the most significant cases of its kind, with multiple individuals involved and a substantial loss to the US.
Weaver’s plea deal marks a significant victory for the US Department of Justice in its efforts to root out corruption and theft in the military.
Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer praised the work of investigators and prosecutors in the case, saying that their efforts have helped to bring justice to the victims of this crime.
The cases highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in government contracting, and the need for robust oversight to prevent corruption and theft.
As the US continues to grapple with corruption and theft in the military, this case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- Denver Gun Thief Vigil Gets 39 Months · Colorado
- Rotting Remains & Relief Funds: Funeral Home Pair Get Decades · Colorado
- Hand Sanitizer Scam: $2.4M Grab Lands Colorado Man in Court · Colorado
- Terror Cartel Leader Busted in Texas: Tren de Aragua’s Fall · New Mexico
- James Leads Coalition Against Extremist SAVE America Act · New Mexico
