Assistant U.S. Attorneys W. Mark Conover (619) 546- 6763
Michelle L. Wasserman (619) 546-8431
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY -May 26, 2017
SAN DIEGO - Henry Bonilla and Richard Navarro were sentenced in federal court today to 15 months and 12 months in prison, respectively, for conspiring to steal over $3 million worth of medical equipment from Camp Pendleton that the military had planned to ship overseas to treat injured Marines.
“This isn’t the theft of pencils and pens," U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo told the defendants during today’s sentencing hearing. “This medical equipment was meant for U.S. Troops. This type of theft is outrageous and puts our troops at risk. I hope this sentence will send a message to people in government in positions of trust."
Bonilla, Navarro and their co-conspirators - many of whom likewise have pleaded guilty - worked as civilian defense contractors in warehouses run by 1st Medical Logistics Company (“1st MEDLOG") aboard Camp Pendleton. 1st MEDLOG is the unit responsible for maintaining medical equipment and shipping necessary medical items to combat forces throughout the world. By virtue of their employment as contractors, Bonilla and Navarro had access to sophisticated, expensive medical equipment stored at 1st MEDLOG warehouses.
According to court records, Bonilla and Navarro and their co-conspirators stole expensive medical equipment from 1st MEDLOG, including anesthesia machines, autoclaves, ventilators, ultrasound machines, defibrillators, and laryngoscopes among other items. Bonilla and Navarro removed the items from Camp Pendleton, with the help of their co-conspirators, and sold the equipment to medical equipment resellers.
Acting U.S. Attorney Alana W. Robinson would like to remind the public that these charges were the result of ongoing efforts to root out corruption among our area defense contractors. She encouraged the public to contact the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) at 1-800-264-6485 or www.ncis.navy.mil with any information relevant to the ongoing investigation into theft of medical equipment at Camp Pendleton.
Judge Bencivengo ordered Bonilla to forfeit two vehicles and $172,850 in ill-gotten gains, and ordered Navarro to forfeit $49,210. Judge Bencivengo also ordered that both Bonilla and Navarro pay restitution of the value of the $3 million worth of equipment stolen from the U.S. Marine Corps.
DEFENDANTS Case Number: 16CR2053-CAB
Henry Bonilla Age: 29 Pomona, California
Richard Navarro Age: 44 Oceanside, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1: Conspiracy to Engage in Theft of Government Property, Title 18, United States Code, Section 371
Maximum penalties: 5 years in prison, $250,000 fine, term of supervised release of 3 years, restitution, and $100 special assessment.
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
