Gavino Ortiz III, Theft of Government Property, Texas 2012
Coast Guard Petty Officer Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Government Property
HOUSTON, Texas - In a shocking case of embezzlement, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Gavino Ortiz III has been ordered to federal prison for stealing more than $200,000 in government property.
According to court records, Ortiz pleaded guilty to a single count of theft of government property on November 27, 2012. The guilty plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller, who subsequently sentenced Ortiz to 24 months in prison.
The court also ordered Ortiz to pay restitution in the amount of $230,468.29 and to serve a three-year term of supervised release following completion of his prison sentence. Ortiz, 32, of League City, was previously released on bond and will voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility in the near future.
The investigation into Ortiz's activities was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
As part of his guilty plea, Ortiz acknowledged that he had used a government-issued J.P. Morgan Chase purchase card to buy a $2,678.91 skydiving parachute with accessories for his personal benefit on November 30, 2010. He also admitted to using the purchase card to make personal financial gain purchases totaling approximately $230,468 from July 2010 to August 2011.
The sentence handed down to Ortiz serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of embezzlement and the importance of accountability within government agencies.
Gavino Ortiz III, a 32-year-old Petty Officer First Class from League City, Texas, was found guilty of theft of government property.
The exact criminal charges against Ortiz were theft of government property.
The crime took place in HOUSTON, Texas, on November 30, 2010, and Ortiz was sentenced on November 27, 2012.
The sentence handed down to Ortiz included 24 months in prison, with the court also ordering him to pay restitution in the amount of $230,468.29.
Gavino Ortiz III is currently serving a 24-month prison sentence for his crimes, with a three-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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