Camp Pendleton Contractors Indicted For Pilfering Over $3 Million In Medical Equipment

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that three civilian contractors who worked at Camp Pendleton were arraigned today on an indictment charging them with stealing millions of dollars’ worth of medical equipment that was to have been shipped to combat commands throughout the world. Defendants Henry Bonilla, Richard Navarro and Michael Tuisee made their first court appearance today before Magistrate Judge William McCurine, Jr. The three were arraigned on a six-count indictment charging the Department of Defense contractors with Conspiracy, Theft of Government Property and Criminal Forfeiture.

According to the indictment, the three defendants worked in warehouses run by 1st Medical Logistics Company (“1st MEDLOG”) aboard Camp Pendleton (the United States Marine Corps’ largest West Coast expeditionary force training facility). 1st MEDLOG is the unit responsible for maintaining medical equipment and shipping necessary medical items to combat forces. By virtue of their employment as defense contractors, the defendants had access to sophisticated, expensive medical equipment stored at 1st MEDLOG warehouses. Throughout 2012, the defendants repeatedly stole expensive medical equipment from 1st MEDLOG, transported it using their personal vehicles to other locations in Southern California, and sold the stolen items to medical equipment resellers. According to the indictment, exchanges with resellers often took place at night, in parking lots near commercial businesses. All told, the defendants are alleged to have stolen over $3 million worth of medical equipment needed by United States Marines.

At today’s hearing, Magistrate Judge McCurine set bond for the defendants, and ordered them to appear before District Judge Cathy A. Bencivengo on March 8, 2013. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison – as well as mandatory restitution to the U.S. military – if convicted of stealing government property.

United States Attorney Duffy advised that these charges are the result of an ongoing investigation into theft of valuable property aboard Camp Pendleton, and asked the public to contact the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) at 1-800-264-6485 or www.ncis.navy.mil if they have any information relevant to that investigation.

The public is reminded that an indictment itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the Government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

DEFENDANT	Case Number: 13cr0338-CAB
Henry Bonilla Richard Navarro Michael Tuisee
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1: Conspiracy to Engage in Theft of Government Property, Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 (all defendants) Maximum penalties: 5 years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of 3 years, restitution, and $100 special assessment. Count 2: Theft of Government Property, Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 (Navarro) Maximum penalties: 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of 3 years, restitution, and $100 special assessment. Count 3: Theft of Government Property, Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 (Tuisee) Maximum penalties: 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of 3 years, restitution, and $100 special assessment. Count 4: Theft of Government Property, Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 (Bonilla) Maximum penalties: 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of 3 years, restitution, and $100 special assessment. Count 5: Theft of Government Property, Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 (Bonilla) Maximum penalties: 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of 3 years, restitution, and $100 special assessment. Count 6: Theft of Government Property, Title 18, United States Code, Section 641 (Bonilla) Maximum penalties: 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of 3 years, restitution, and $100 special assessment.
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Naval Criminal Investigative Service