Former US Navy Petty Officer First Class Richard Allen, who served in the Navy for over 20 years, has been sentenced to 18 months of federal imprisonment for plotting to steal and sell military equipment worth over $850,000. The equipment, originally intended for Navy personnel, was illegally sold by Allen to high-paying buyers from over 50 countries, including China and Russia.
Allen, 53, hailing from Citrus Heights, California, appeared in a federal court in Providence, Rhode Island last Thursday (21st) to receive his sentencing. Earlier in August 29 of this year, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and six counts of money laundering.
According to court documents, Allen, while serving at the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown – Cheatham Annex in Williamsburg, Virginia, took advantage of his familiarity with the base (which is responsible for providing military equipment to ships of the US Navy Atlantic Fleet) and unrestricted access to warehouses, to steal military equipment valued at $856,433. The stolen items included uniforms, winter gear, flame-resistant shirts and pants, soft body armor, goggles, infrared flag patches, Navy SEAL trident emblems, and small arms protective inserts. He stored these items in various locations, including Rhode Island, and arranged for their sale to domestic and international buyers.
Allen and others identified domestic and international clients for the stolen goods, personally arranging deliveries either directly or through commercial transport. Transactions were often conducted through PayPal, with dozens of payments made from a Chinese account. To circumvent bank reporting requirements, payments were kept under $10,000 per transfer and distributed in installments to bank accounts, including those of Allen and his accomplices.
The stolen items were sold to over 50 countries, including China, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Vietnam, Ukraine, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, and more.
Even after retiring from the US Navy, Allen continued to orchestrate the conspiracy and receive profits.
In a statement, Rhode Island federal prosecutor Zachary A. Cunha said, “Allen took an oath to serve the country, but instead chose to serve his own shameful greed, sacrificing the interests of taxpayers and fellow service members. This sentence is the result of relentless efforts by law enforcement agencies, sending a warning to others: stealing from America will only lead to prison, not profit.”
Michael T. Wiest, the head of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in the Northeast region, noted that Allen’s theft and illegal sale of US government property, using his position for personal gain, betrayed his commitment to the Navy and the trust of taxpayers.