PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - Thomas Stacey McDonald, 44, of Crestview, Florida, was sentenced today in federal court to seven (7) years in prison for the theft of $7,000 worth of merchandise from the United States Air Force Exchange Service at the Main Exchange of Eglin Air Force Base. McDonald was indicted in April of this year for felony theft of government property, after being caught on January 12, 2011, by the Eglin Main Exchange Loss Prevention Officers in the act of stealing approximately $1,200 worth of merchandise consisting of multiple video game players, a microwave, and bottles of liquor. McDonald’s theft on January 12th was the eighth time he had stolen property from the Eglin Main Exchange. Following his indictment, McDonald pled guilty on June 1, 2011. At the sentencing hearing today, during which McDonald’s twenty-five (25) year criminal history was presented to the court, Senior United States District Judge Lacey A. Collier sentenced McDonald to seven (7) years in prison, which was twice the advisory sentencing guidelines range in McDonald’s case. In imposing this sentence, Judge Collier noted McDonald’s extensive criminal history and the fact that McDonald had served time in Florida’s state prison system on seven (7) prior occasions. Judge Collier also noted that McDonald had been out of custody for his most recent Florida felony conviction for only two and one half months and, in fact, was still on state probation when he began stealing from the Eglin Main Exchange on December 26, 2010.

Following his release from federal prison, McDonald will serve three (3) years on federal supervised release, during which time he will have to pay the $7,259.10 in restitution that he owes to the United States Air Force Exchange Service. McDonald’s wife, Teresa McDonald, was also charged with theft of property less than $1,000, from the Eglin Main Exchange. Teresa McDonald’s case is being handled in Magistrate Court, and she is scheduled to be sentenced on September 19, 2011, by United States Magistrate Judge Miles Davis for misdemeanor theft.

U.S. Attorney Pamela Marsh had high praise for the vigilance and professionalism of the Eglin AFB 96th Security Forces Officers and the Eglin Main Exchange Loss Prevention Officers. “The members of our United States Military serve this country fearlessly and with honor, everyday of their lives, and theft from United States military bases will not be tolerated,” Ms. Marsh stated. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany H. Eggers and Special Assistant United States Attorney United States Air Force Captain Carl “John” Grivner.

 

 

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