Richard Allen, 52, admitted in federal court to being part of a conspiracy to steal more than $850,000 worth of supplies while he was stationed at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in Williamsburg.
Allen, of Citrus Heights, Calif., is a retired petty officer first class who served in the Navy for more than 20 years.
Federal prosecutors in Rhode Island said Allen was part of a group that repeatedly broke into Navy warehouses and took body armor, protective plates, working uniforms, winter gear, infrared flag patches and even Navy SEAL trident insignia.
The goods were stored in several locations, including in Rhode Island, and sold to domestic and foreign customers around the world. Some payment accounts were linked to China.
Allen and other conspirators were paid in increments of less than $10,000 to avoid bank reporting requirements, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Rhode Island.
The case is being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Homeland Security, Department of Commerce and the FBI.
“Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS does not comment on or confirm details related to ongoing investigations. NCIS considers investigations ongoing until the adjudication phase has concluded,” said Jeff Houston, spokesman for NCIS.
Allen retired December 31,2013. His last duty station was Weapon Station Yorktown. He was there for a year. Before that, he was assigned to Port Operations Storefront Yorktown, Norfolk starting in 2009, According to the Navy.
Beginning in September 2008, Allen spent a year at Naval Security Force Bahrain. He was on the USS John. C. Stennis from August 2006 to August 2008.
Over a 20 year career, he was also stationed in Japan and Hawaii, beginning his career in 1994 assigned to the Norfolk-based USS Stout.
He earned several medals and citations, including Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation and five Good Conduct Medals.
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex supplies the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. The base hosts dozens of commands, including Navy Munitions Command Atlantic, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group and Navy Cargo Handling Battalion.
Allen pleaded guilty to six counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 26.
