Two Department of Defense employees indicted on embezzlement charges

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Sergeant First Class Shane Morgan with the West Virginia Army National Guard and Master Sergeant (retired) Russell Morgan were indicted today by a federal grand jury on 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, are each charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Embezzle Government Property,” and one count of “Embezzlement of Government Property.” Shane is also charged with one count of “Unauthorized Sale of Government Property” and one count of “False Written Statement.” 

The two men are accused of stealing at least 80 items of United States government property worth an estimated total of more than $80,000. The indictment further alleges that 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 face up to five years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the embezzlement charge. Shane Morgan also faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the unauthorized sale charge, and up to five years incarceration and a fine of $250,000 fine for the false written statement charge. 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. 

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.