They were discovered when a contractor noticed that some of the supplies they stole were sent in for warranty repairs by a private individual, rather than the government. Image: RedCom Productions/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffTwo Army officers – a husband and wife – pled guilty and were convicted of theft of more than $2 million, possession of government property, and money laundering.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) Christopher Hammond and Maj. Heather Hammond also were convicted by a federal jury in Raleigh, North Carolina, for spending the proceeds of their money-laundering, and aiding and abetting, the Justice Department announced April 21.
Christopher Hammond could face 30 years in prison when the couple are sentenced later this year. Heather Hammond’s sentence could be as long as 10 years. Both could be fined as well.
Court documents show that Christopher Hammond used his status as an Army officer to requisition government property that had been intended for use at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was stationed. Instead of logging the property into inventory, he sold it to “various individuals,” according to the Justice Department. During a two-year stretch, he accepted nearly $1.8 million in wire transfers and then deposited the money into an account he held jointly with his wife. Heather Hammond knowingly allowed her husband to use her bank accounts to deposit the illegally obtained money.
They were discovered when a contractor noticed that some of the supplies they stole were sent in for warranty repairs by a private individual, rather than the government.
“Mr. Hammond abused his position with the Army to steal and sell government property. He stole military scopes, weapons parts, tools, welding equipment, night vision goggles and ATVs,” said Michael Easley, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, who worked on the case. “This gear was meant to support our troops in the fight for freedom, but the Hammonds sold it to retire in style.”
Joining Easley and his staff during the investigation were the Defense Criminal Investigative Services (DCIS), Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and the FBI.
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