Additional Coverage:
- Marine corporal accused of stealing and selling weapons from California’s Camp Pendleton (nbcnews.com)
Marine Corps Ammo Specialist Faces Charges for Alleged Theft and Illegal Sale of Military Weapons
LOS ANGELES – A U.S. Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton in California has been charged with stealing military-grade weapons and ammunition, including a shoulder-fired Javelin missile system, and conspiring to sell the stolen items in Arizona, according to federal court documents.
Cpl. Andrew Paul Amarillas pleaded not guilty last Thursday in Phoenix to multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit theft and embezzlement of government property, as well as possession and sale of stolen ammunition. A judge ordered Amarillas to remain in custody while awaiting trial.
Prosecutors allege that Amarillas, who worked as a technical specialist at the School of Infantry West, stole a Javelin missile system along with thousands of rounds of military ammunition and other weapons-related materials between February 2022 and November 2023. He is accused of transporting the stolen equipment to Arizona, where he sold it to unidentified co-conspirators who then resold it further. Some, but not all, of the stolen items have been recovered.
Court records reveal that one co-conspirator saved Amarillas’s contact under the nickname “Andrew Ammo.” Text messages included in the complaint show Amarillas offering “2 launchers” to a co-conspirator and sharing photos of a Javelin missile system matching serial numbers from military inventory records.
Undercover officers reportedly purchased some of the stolen ammunition from these co-conspirators as part of the investigation.
“The objects of the conspiracy were to steal property and ammunition from the U.S. military and sell stolen U.S. military property and ammunition to others to earn money,” the complaint states.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), which is leading the investigation, declined to comment on specifics but emphasized its commitment to thoroughly investigating any theft of military weapons and munitions intended for black market sales.
This case echoes concerns raised in 2021 when explosives went missing from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California. At the time, NCIS confirmed an investigation but did not provide further details.
The investigation into Amarillas and his alleged activities remains ongoing.