Historian’s Grandson Nabbed in Navy Archive Heist

BALTIMORE, MD – Samuel Loring Morison, age 70, of Crofton, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to pilfering a piece of naval history – records directly related to his own celebrated grandfather, Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison. The brazen theft, uncovered after an eBay listing caught the eye of federal investigators, landed Morison a two-year probationary sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr.

The feds say Morison, a former part-time researcher at the Naval Historical Foundation, began his scheme on April 12, 2014, attempting to sell the stolen WWII-era records to a local bookstore owner for consignment and subsequent online auction. The bookstore owner, unknowingly handling hot property, listed the items on eBay. It was a tip-off to agents with the National Archives and Records Administration Office of Inspector General that blew the whole operation wide open. A former Navy Archives curator confirmed the documents belonged to the Naval History and Heritage Command.

A subsequent raid on Morison’s residence on May 21, 2014, turned up a staggering 34 boxes of pilfered government records and property. The stolen materials were identified as the “Office Files of RADM Morison Papers,” a collection the defendant had access to through his research position but was never authorized to remove. Morison’s access didn’t give him license to treat the Navy Archive like a personal souvenir shop, authorities stressed.

While facing a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for theft of government property, Morison received a lighter sentence due to what Judge Quarles cited as his failing health, prior military service, and cooperation with investigators. However, the probation isn’t a free pass. Morison is barred from accessing any library or archives without explicit permission from his probation officer and is required to fully cooperate with ongoing efforts to identify any other government property in his possession.

“It’s gratifying that NCIS could work with our law enforcement partners to identify and arrest the person responsible for these thefts , and thereby help preserve the illustrious history of the United States Navy,” stated NCIS Special Agent in Charge Darrell Gilliard. James Springs, NARA’s Acting Inspector General, added, “Thefts from our nation’s historical record are an affront to all citizens… this behavior will not be tolerated.”

The case was brought by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein, who lauded the work of both NCIS and the NARA Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney James G. Warwick prosecuted the case. While the sentence may seem lenient, the feds are sending a clear message: messing with national treasures comes with a price, even for the grandson of a naval legend.