RICHMOND, Va. - William M. Johnson, 57, of North Chesterfield, pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of theft of government property.
According to a statement of facts filed with the plea agreement, in 2007, the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation (“DLA"), located at the Defense Supply Center Richmond in Chesterfield, VA, began a project to recycle steel from steel shelving units in DLA warehouses that were scheduled for demolition. DLA employees were tasked with dismantling the shelving units, collecting the steel, and transporting the steel to a recycling company for payment. The DLA employees were then required to return the money from the recycling company to DLA, which would deposit the money into an account earmarked for the DLA’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund.
Beginning in 2014, an investigation led by the Office of Inspector General for DLA and Office of Inspector General for the Department of Defense revealed that Johnson would take the steel to the recycling company and receive payment, but would not turn the money in to DLA. The investigation further revealed that between the fall of 2011 through June 2013, Johnson stole approximately $106,830 as a result of the recycling project, all of which belonged to DLA.
Johnson pleaded guilty to a criminal information filed by the United States and now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. He will be sentenced on Sept. 30, 3016. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Robert E. Craig, Special Agent in Charge for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) Mid-Atlantic Field Office, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen E. Anthony is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16-cr-74.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
