Former civilian contractor admits stealing equipment from Camp Pendleton

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey D. Hill (619) 546-7924

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 18, 2015

SAN DIEGO -- Escondido resident James Dean Salmon pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he stole thousands of dollars of United States property from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

In entering his plea, Salmon admitted that he exploited his position as a civilian contractor to cause unnecessary purchases of equipment. In doing so, Salmon would falsely represent functioning equipment as broken, or repairable equipment as unrepairable. When new equipment would arrive, Salmon would then falsely claim to have installed it – while, in fact, he would steal the new items for his own personal use.

From December 2007 through August 2011, Salmon used this scheme to steal a total of $27,362.68 worth of government equipment, much of it recovered from inside his residence during a search warrant. Salmon is scheduled to be sentenced on November 16, 2015, before U.S. District Judge John A. Houston.

DEFENDANT                                  Criminal Case No. 15cr02116-JAH                        

James Dean Salmon                            Escondido, CA           Age: 47                     

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Theft of Public Property – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 641
Maximum penalty: 10 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine

AGENCIES

United States Marine Corps, Criminal Investigation Division

Department of the Navy, Naval Criminal Investigative Service