Alabama man convicted of stealing millions from U.S. Army in Anniston
Published 3:25 pm Monday, December 11, 2023
An Alabama man has been convicted of conspiracy involving a scheme that stole millions of dollars worth of military equipement from the Anniston Army Depot.
The conviction was announced Monday by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Darrin Jones, Defense Logistics Agency Office of the Inspector General Deputy Inspector General Jerold Unruh, and United States Army Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent in Charge D. Todd Outlaw.
The jury returned a guilty verdict against Steve Bonner, 62, of Goodwater, after four days of testimony before U.S. District Court Judge Corey Maze. Bonner was convicted of conspiracy to steal United States property.
According to evidence presented at trial, Bonner acted as a middleman, selling and arranging for the sale of military property stolen from Anniston Army Depot.
Bonner sold the stolen property directly to buyers and delivered the stolen property to the owner of a military surplus store in Sylacauga.
The stolen items included equipment that was designed to be attached to military weapon systems to provide operators with instant nighttime engagement capabilities and/or improved target acquisition.
Nine defendants have pleaded guilty in connection to this investigation.
Eric Matraia, 54, of Munford, pleaded guilty in February 2023 to conspiracy to steal United States property.
Stantillio Whitfield, 44, of Anniston, pleaded guilty in November 2022 to conspiracy to steal United States property.
Tevin Fletcher, 33, of Oxford, pleaded guilty in December 2022 to conspiracy to steal United States property.
Jerry Baker, 63, of Hokes Bluff, pleaded guilty in May 2023 to conspiracy to steal United States property.
James Kenneth Scott, 72, pleaded guilty in January 2023 to conspiracy to steal United States property.
Christopher Price, 55, of Childersburg, pleaded guilty in January 2023 to conspiracy to steal United States property.
Scott Bunch, 53, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to conspiracy to steal United States property in October.
Shane Farthing, 41, of Gadsden, pleaded guilty in July 2023 to conspiracy to steal United States property.
Kelvin Battle, 53, of Anniston, pleaded guilty in August 2023 to conspiracy to steal United States property.
The Defense Criminal Investigative Service and Defense Logistics Agency Office of Inspector General are investigating the cases. Assistant United States Attorneys George Martin and Ryan Rummage are prosecuting the cases.