Former Navy Officer From CA Admits To Stealing, Selling Miltary Gear He Stored In RI

NEWPORT, RI — A California man who served more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy admitted to a federal judge in Rhode Island that while serving, he stole and sold military gear worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Richard Allen, 52, of Citrus Heights, California, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy and six counts of money laundering. Allen was discharged as a petty officer first class.

Allen was stationed at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex in Williamsburg, Virginia. Prosecutors said Allen and others repeatedly broke into a warehouse on the base that held U.S. Navy gear, including working uniforms, winter gear, flame retardant shirts and pants, soft body armor, goggles, infrared flag patches, Navy SEAL Trident insignia, and small arms protective insert plates.

According to prosecutors, Allen and his co-conspirators stole $856,433 worth of Navy gear and supplies, storing the items in various locations, including in Rhode Island. Prosecutors said Allen then organized the sale and shipping of the stolen gear to bulk-sale customers, both domestically and internationally.

Payment for the stolen goods was received via PayPal, including dozens of payments made from an account in China. Prosecutors said the money was then transferred to co-conspirators bank accounts, including Allen’s, in increments of less than $10,000, to avoid bank reporting requirements.

Allen is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26.

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