U.S. Navy Officer Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison For Stealing $850,000 Worth Of Military Gear

A former United States Navy officer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing more than $850,000 worth of military gear and selling it to buyers around the world.

Richard Allen, aged 53, from Citrus Heights, California, was a Navy Petty Officer First Class for over 20 years before plotting the illegal scheme. In August 2024, he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and money laundering.

Allen was sentenced in federal court in Rhode Island, where U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. handed down the prison term, followed by three years of supervised release.

Prosecutors made it clear that Allen’s actions were a serious betrayal. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said, “Allen was sworn to serve his country, but instead, he chose greed over duty.” He added that the case should be a warning: stealing from the United States will land you in prison, not profit.

The stolen goods came from the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex in Virginia, where Allen had easy access to military gear. The items included uniforms, body armour, goggles, and Navy SEAL insignia.

Allen and his co-conspirators stored the items in Rhode Island and other locations before selling them in bulk to buyers across the globe, from China and Russia to countries like South Korea, Ukraine, and even Brazil.

The stolen goods were shipped internationally, with payments often funnelled through PayPal accounts in China to avoid detection.

Even after retiring from the Navy, Allen managed the illegal operation, receiving payments and arranging shipments. Law enforcement officials said his actions not only harmed the U.S. military but also put national security at risk.

The investigation was led by multiple agencies, including the Navy’s NCIS and the Department of Defense’s DCIS. Special agents from these agencies said Allen’s actions went beyond simple theft. They directly threatened military readiness and the trust of those serving in the armed forces.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement also reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of military equipment, while the FBI’s Boston Division added that Allen’s betrayal of the public’s trust would not go unpunished.

Reference: US Department of Justice