A former U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class, Richard Allen, 53, of Citrus Heights, California, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme to steal over $850,000 worth of military gear and selling it to buyers in more than 50 countries, including China and Russia. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island announced the sentence today.
Allen, who was stationed at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex in Williamsburg, Virginia, exploited his access to military warehouses to steal a variety of items, including uniforms, winter gear, flame-retardant clothing, soft body armor, goggles, and Navy SEAL insignia. He then sold the stolen goods both domestically and internationally, with transactions linked to a Chinese PayPal account and other foreign buyers. Payments were often processed through PayPal to evade financial reporting requirements.
The stolen military supplies were distributed to over 50 countries, including China, Russia, South Korea, and various nations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Allen’s fraudulent operation included smuggling goods out of the base and delivering them either personally or through commercial shipping.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha condemned Allen’s actions, stating, “Sworn to serve his country, Richard Allen instead chose to serve his own greed at the expense of taxpayers and his fellow service members.” Following his 18-month prison sentence, Allen will also serve three years of federal supervised release.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen remarked, “Americans – especially those who serve in uniform – deserve public employees who uphold honesty and integrity. Richard Allen failed both of these principles by exploiting his position for personal gain.”
This sentence serves as a warning that stealing from the U.S. government will lead to prison time, not profit.
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