Soldier, Father Charged With Equipment Theft

A Fort Knox, Ky.-based soldier and his father were indicted Aug. 14 on charges of stealing and transporting government property, and lying to federal agents when questioned about the allegations. Sgt. Luis Rafael Infantes, 21, a supply sergeant, could face 20 years in prison if convicted. Pedro Luis Infantes, 47, could face a 25-year prison sentence. An FBI press release outlined allegations that the elder Infantes had tried to sell 17 military-grade, thermal-imaging monoculars, rifle-cleaning kits, and other items to persons he thought were working for “Mexican drug trafficking organizations” for $153,500. The prospective buyers actually were government informants. The soldier admitted to military investigators that he had stolen the items because he was in financial trouble.