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Marines sold stolen combat weapons to gangs, China
By Jeff Black, msnbc.com
American
troops sold $2 million worth of weapons and combat gear, including
assault rifles and night vision goggles to street gangs and to foreign
countries, including China, in a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy
uncovered by a Navy probe, according to military officials.
A two-year undercover investigation has implicated more than 60 individuals, an official with the Navy Criminal Navy Investigative Service (NCIS) told The Daily News in Jacksonville, N.C.
Many of those involved were stationed at Camp Lejeune, a sprawling
coastal Marine Corps installation that is home to special operations and
expeditionary forces.
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Some of the equipment was sold over eBay and Craigslist, though
weapons and ammunition were also sold at yard sales and in secretive
face-to-face meetings, according to the paper.
Watch the Top Videos on msnbc.com
The Navy probe eventually spilled into other military branches, including the Army and Air Force.
In
all, $1.8 million worth of equipment has been recovered as a result of
the investigation. Officials said that in addition to the assault rifles
and night vision goggles, $800 flashlights were recovered as a result
of the probe.
Panetta: Misconduct threatens war effort
“We’re
talking about sophisticated, high-tech flashlights that cost the
government up to $800 per unit. The temptation and ease with which to
steal and sell them, for some, is irresistible,” an unnamed military official told Stars & Stripes, which confirmed the report.
So
far, 47 service members and 21 civilians have been charged. About half
of those have been to trial, with many pleading guilty to the offenses,
Ed Buice, an NCIS spokesman, told The Daily News.
Two Marines have been convicted in the case, The Daily News reported.
Sgt.
Daniel Adam Reich was convicted Monday of selling and attempting to
sell military property as well as conspiracy. He was sentenced to 40
months in prison and given a dishonorable discharge.
Capt. Donald
E. Pump Jr. last week was convicted of attempting to sell military
property and conspiracy. He was dismissed from the Marine Corps and
sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Though cases of what is
sometimes called "mailing the war home" aren't unusual, the scope of the
investigation and the number of people allegedly involved points to a
deeper problem of checks and balances in how combat equipment is
accounted for, Philip Cave, a Washington military attorney, told
msnbc.com.
"Who's minding the store? Where's the accountability?
Where's the supervision and leadership?” Cave said. “Somehow these
people figured out how to beat the system."
By Jeff Black, msnbc.com
American
troops sold $2 million worth of weapons and combat gear, including
assault rifles and night vision goggles to street gangs and to foreign
countries, including China, in a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy
uncovered by a Navy probe, according to military officials.
A two-year undercover investigation has implicated more than 60 individuals, an official with the Navy Criminal Navy Investigative Service (NCIS) told The Daily News in Jacksonville, N.C.
Many of those involved were stationed at Camp Lejeune, a sprawling
coastal Marine Corps installation that is home to special operations and
expeditionary forces.
Advertise | AdChoices
Some of the equipment was sold over eBay and Craigslist, though
weapons and ammunition were also sold at yard sales and in secretive
face-to-face meetings, according to the paper.
Watch the Top Videos on msnbc.com
The Navy probe eventually spilled into other military branches, including the Army and Air Force.
In
all, $1.8 million worth of equipment has been recovered as a result of
the investigation. Officials said that in addition to the assault rifles
and night vision goggles, $800 flashlights were recovered as a result
of the probe.
Panetta: Misconduct threatens war effort
“We’re
talking about sophisticated, high-tech flashlights that cost the
government up to $800 per unit. The temptation and ease with which to
steal and sell them, for some, is irresistible,” an unnamed military official told Stars & Stripes, which confirmed the report.
So
far, 47 service members and 21 civilians have been charged. About half
of those have been to trial, with many pleading guilty to the offenses,
Ed Buice, an NCIS spokesman, told The Daily News.
Two Marines have been convicted in the case, The Daily News reported.
Sgt.
Daniel Adam Reich was convicted Monday of selling and attempting to
sell military property as well as conspiracy. He was sentenced to 40
months in prison and given a dishonorable discharge.
Capt. Donald
E. Pump Jr. last week was convicted of attempting to sell military
property and conspiracy. He was dismissed from the Marine Corps and
sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Though cases of what is
sometimes called "mailing the war home" aren't unusual, the scope of the
investigation and the number of people allegedly involved points to a
deeper problem of checks and balances in how combat equipment is
accounted for, Philip Cave, a Washington military attorney, told
msnbc.com.
"Who's minding the store? Where's the accountability?
Where's the supervision and leadership?” Cave said. “Somehow these
people figured out how to beat the system."
