US: Soldiers sold army equipment to foreign buyers

Eight Americans, including six soldiers, were charged with stealing and selling more than $1 million worth of “sensitive” army equipment, US officials said yesterday.

The equipment was sold through online auction site eBay to anonymous customers, including some located in foreign countries such as China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Malaysia, Romania, Russia, Mexico and Ukraine, according to a written statement from the US Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Tennessee.

“The items sold included sniper telescopes and rifle accessories, machine gun parts and accessories, grenade launcher sights, flight helmets, communication headsets, body armour and medical supplies,” the statement said.

US Attorney David Rivera told the Tennessean newspaper the materials were “extraordinarily and inherently dangerous in the wrong hands and outside of the military or police tactical use.”

The six soldiers were stationed at the Fort Campbell military base that lies on the Kentucky-Tennessee borders. They include Michael Barlow, 29, Jonathan Wolford, 28, Kyle Heade, 29, Alexander Hollibaugh, 25, Dustin Nelson, 22, and Aaron Warner, 24. They face a litany of charges that include conspiracy, theft, receipt and the unauthorised sale of government property.

The two others are civilians John Roberts, 26, and Jason Cory Wilson, 42, both from Clarksville, Tennessee.

Their charges include conspiracy, money laundering, wire fraud and violating the Arms Export Control Act.

Five of the suspects are currently in custody and authorities are working to arrest the other three, government sources said.

Rivera said each defendant faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Roberts and Wilson face up to 20 years for each count of wire fraud and violating the Arms Export Control Act. Wilson faces an additional 20 years on the money laundering charge.