‪HOUSTON – U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Lee Scott, 28, of Dickinson, has been charged with using a government-issued credit card to purchase several electronics for his personal use, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Scott was arrested today without incident and will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Froeshner later today in Galveston at which time the issue of bond will be determined.

Scott is charged in a three-count indictment alleging theft of government property which was returned Nov, 7, 2012, and unsealed today upon his arrest.
 
The indictment alleges that between May 2011 and June 2011, Scott used a U.S. Coast Guard issued J.P. Morgan Chase purchase card on three separate occasions to embezzle, steal and convert to his own use two Apple MacBook Pro notebook computers, one 55-inch Samsung High Definition television set and two 10-inch Android tablets.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty, upon conviction, of up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

The indictment was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Rodriguez.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.