Two Department of Defense employees admit to embezzlement charges

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Sergeant First Class Shane Morgan with the West Virginia Army National Guard and Master Sergeant (retired) Russell Morgan have admitted to charges related to the embezzlement and unlawful sale of government property, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Shane Morgan, age 35, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Russell Morgan, age 61, of Helvetia, West Virginia, each pled guilty today to one count of “Conspiracy to Embezzle Government Property.” The two men admitted to stealing at least 80 items of United States government property worth an estimated total of more than $80,000. The men obtained access to this property through their official positions at the United States Property and Fiscal Office warehouse in Buckhannon. The crimes took place from August 2010 to October 2017 in Upshur County.

Both men each face up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia Army National Guard and the West Virginia State Police investigated. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.