YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Two Trumbull County men are facing federal charges after allegedly making off with a U.S. Army High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), commonly known as a Humvee. The brazen theft, which occurred on March 18th, has landed Austin Bollinger, 22, of Brookfield, and Daniel Thompson, 22, of Girard, in the crosshairs of federal investigators.
According to an indictment unsealed today, Austin Bollinger is charged with one count each of theft of government property and receiving stolen government property. The indictment alleges that Bollinger directly stole the Model M1165A1 Humvee from government property. Daniel Thompson, meanwhile, has been indicted on a single count of receiving stolen government property. The pair allegedly worked together to conceal the stolen military vehicle.
Federal prosecutors claim the scheme didn’t end with the initial theft. From March 19th through March 24th, 2017, both Bollinger and Thompson allegedly retained possession of the Humvee, actively concealing it with the intent of converting the military-grade vehicle for Bollinger’s personal use. Details of *how* they intended to use the stolen vehicle remain scarce, fueling speculation among law enforcement sources.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Agents and troopers reportedly worked tirelessly to track down the stolen Humvee and identify the individuals responsible. Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer is prosecuting the case, indicating the seriousness with which the Department of Justice is treating the matter. The recovery of the Humvee itself has not been publicly disclosed.
If convicted, both defendants face sentencing determined by the Court, taking into account their criminal history (if any), their specific roles in the theft, and the nature of the violations. However, prosecutors emphasize that any sentence will adhere to statutory maximums, and is likely to be less than the maximum penalty allowed by law. The exact statutory maximums for the charges were not immediately available.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. Both Austin Bollinger and Daniel Thompson are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. They are entitled to a full and fair trial where the government bears the burden of proof. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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