Army warrant officer sentenced for selling $2 million in stolen gear

A federal choose has sentenced a former Military warrant officer to a few years in jail and ordered him to pay $500,000 in restitution and forfeiture for promoting $2 million value of stolen navy tools.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Hammond, 38, beforehand pleaded responsible to 6 costs, together with theft of presidency property, wire fraud, cash laundering, mail fraud and transportation of stolen items earlier than his sentencing listening to Wednesday, in accordance with a Justice Division launch.

A jury convicted him of a further rely of cash laundering and aiding and abetting in a November 2023 trial.

Each Hammond and his spouse, Military Maj. Heather Hammond, had been arrested in Might 2022 and later discovered responsible in an April 2023 jury trial.

Nonetheless, the couple was granted a brand new trial in November 2023 following courtroom motions, in accordance with courtroom paperwork. Within the second trial, a jury discovered Hammond responsible however acquitted Heather of the fees she confronted.

“Hammond stole after which bought navy scopes, weapons elements, instruments, night time imaginative and prescient goggles and ATVs meant to help our troops within the battle for freedom,” stated U.S. Legal professional Michael Easley. “By means of his scheme, he had hoped to retire in type. As an alternative, he shall be spending the subsequent three years in jail.”

Over a two-year interval, Hammond used his place at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, since renamed Fort Liberty, to requisition authorities property for his unit. However Hammond by no means logged the property into Military stock and as an alternative bought the gadgets to numerous people, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.

Throughout that point, Hammond obtained at the least $1.8 million in wire transfers and different funds. When police searched his house, they seized 98 firearms, 90 military-issued recognizing scopes, a whole lot of different military-issued firearms equipment, night time imaginative and prescient goggles, digital tools and greater than $100,000 in money, in accordance with the discharge.

“This sentencing sends a stark warning to those that put greed above their sworn obligation,” said Christopher Dillard, particular agent in command of the Division of Protection Workplace of Inspector Common, Protection Felony Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Area Workplace.

Investigators traced 200 gadgets bought by Hammond or at his house that ought to have been issued to his unit.

The fraud was uncovered when an tools provider observed that authorities contract gadgets had been being despatched in for guarantee repairs from a non-public particular person, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.

“This sentencing is a results of a joint investigation and Military CID’s dedication to guard the federal government, the Military, and most significantly, the taxpayer, from these whose actions can erode the belief and confidence in our navy and warfighting functionality,” stated Keith Okay. Kelly, particular agent in command of Fraud Area Workplace of the Military Felony Investigation Division.

Hammond should report back to jail by Sept. 1.