WACO, Texas — In a brazen scheme to resell millions of dollars worth of U.S. military property, 62-year-old Michael Bartch, Sr. was sentenced to two years in federal prison for stealing and reselling U.S. military goods.
According to the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Michael Bartch, Sr. admitted to stealing and reselling night vision equipment, optics for weaponry, body armor, helmets, military clothing, and other items worth over $7 million.
Beginning in 2007, Bartch knowingly violated U.S. export laws by selling stolen U.S. military equipment, resulting in a total of over $7 million worth of stolen U.S. military property being dealt with by Bartch and others.
Bartch pleaded guilty to one count of illegally exporting defense articles, one count of receiving stolen Government property, and one count of money laundering on March 29, 2012.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith ordered that Bartch pay a $2,000 fine and be placed under supervised release for a period of two years after completing his prison term.
Seven other individuals, all convicted on federal charges resulting from this investigation, have previously been sentenced to terms ranging from six months incarceration to 120 months in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Central Texas Counter Proliferation Task Force, which included the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division, Department of Commerce, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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