Former SEAL gets 7 years for keeping weapons, explosives

Posted to: Crime News Norfolk

By Tim McGlone
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 2, 2008

NORFOLK

Elbert Tillman Jr. had a stellar career going for him as a Navy SEAL through the 1990s. Trained as a sharpshooter, he was sent on classified missions deep into enemy territories.

Then in 2001, his career imploded. Driving drunk in Bosnia, he wrecked a vehicle, injuring himself and two female civilians. The Navy gave him a choice: return to fleet or leave the service.

Tillman chose to leave. He took with him C-4 explosives, grenades, anti-personnel mines and 13,000 rounds of ammunition.

Federal authorities in December arrested Tillman after finding him with a volatile and illegal mix of the explosives, firearms and steroids. He pleaded guilty to two felony charges related to the illegal possession and was sentenced Wednesday to seven years and three months in prison.

The 35-year-old father of five pleaded for mercy with U.S. District Judge Henry C. Morgan Jr.

"I served my country for 10 years honorably and with integrity. Now I ask the court for leniency," Tillman told the judge. "I ask that I go home and take care of my kids."

But Morgan said it would be unrealistic for anyone in Tillman's position to think he wouldn't go to prison for committing such crimes.

"It's difficult for the court to deal with someone who's served his country honorably," Morgan said.

However, he added: "There are some things that you've done that are very worrisome to the court."

Tillman had been out on bond since his arrest, but authorities took him into custody Friday after he violated his bond conditions by contacting his ex-girlfriend, Serena Cox.

It was Cox who alerted authorities to Tillman's arsenal at his Suffolk home on Ferry Point Road after the two had a domestic dispute in Indiana. A prosecutor said in court that Tillman erupted when someone took a bite of his pizza.

"He's a social hand grenade" when he consumes alcohol, Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Stoker told the judge.

Tillman's attorney, Sonny Stallings, said the case was overblown, all because of a domestic squabble. He tried to convince the judge to hand down a lower sentence.

"I ask you to look at the kind of person he is and separate some of the hysteria that came with this case," Stallings said.

Local and federal authorities discovered the explosives in Tillman's barn as well as 23 firearms and hundreds of vials of anabolic steroids.

Tillman testified Wednesday that he took to steroids to maintain the same shape he was in while a SEAL. He also tried to explain why he still had the Navy's explosives.

He said that when he left the Navy, he carried away all his gear, which includes sacks of explosives that he had been in charge of as an ordnance supervisor.

"There was no way to get rid of it, so I just left it alone," he said.

The explosives would be enough to wipe out Suffolk's small downtown, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has said.

Tillman also said the Navy had no safeguards to ensure that the explosives and ammunition remained on base. SEALs were allowed to take weapons and ammunition off base when needed.

But Doug Smith, a civilian operations officer with SEAL Team 2 at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, testified that it was against Navy policy to remove such items from the base.

Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com

Maybe she had no choice...

Submitted by hadenough on Thu, 08/14/2008 at 11:05 am.

LOONEY??? How about she had enough of his mental and physical abuse?! Perhaps she did not want to end up dead?? He was going crazy!! What's she supposed to do? Call 911 on a crazy ex-seal with a temper from hell who thinks it is ok hurt women? He would have killed her. Taken her for a boat ride and not brought her back. Thats what he always said he would do if she left him. Gold digger? She worked as hard as he did. GET A CLUE!! It was Serena who took care of those kids... Ask around. Only after he knew he would go to prison did he spend any time with those kids. All of you who want to judge her, get the facts first. She was getting her gun permit. Why do you think?? She was not his first victim but maybe his last.

Who is to judge...

Submitted by vbmarketing on Thu, 07/03/2008 at 10:42 am.

First, the Navy should not have given him the "choice" when the accident happened in Bosnia. A civilian would not have had that choice, they would have been charged with DUI and so forth. Second, do you know how many SEALs end up with all sorts of gear along with amo when they have completed their time in the military? A LOT! The Navy obviously didn't realize all of the explosives were missing until recently did they? No, he should not have kept any of it, but I happen to know this man and they were sitting in his barn collecting dust...not being used or even attempted to be used. And on the domestic issue, having known Elbert and met his ex-girlfriend Serena...she's a loony as they come. She is a prime example of a crazy, bitter, lazy, gold digging woman. Elbert was the sole provider for his family, she did nothing but be manipulative and deceitful. He should have left her a long time ago. Yet, he still l

Let's see . . .

Submitted by markk33831 on Wed, 07/02/2008 at 9:55 pm.

This guy has illegal weapons AND explosives in his house, he is noted for violent behavior, he was discharged from the SEALs for being drunk and wrecking a vehicle, injurying two females in the process . . .

And this is supposed to be a 'model citizen' that should have gotten a lighter sentence? He sounds more like a train wreck waiting to happen. Heaven knows what he might have done with the illegal weapons and explosives if had REALLY gotten mad. Hopefully, seven years in the slammer will settle him down some.

A Woman Did This

Submitted by UnionMan on Wed, 07/02/2008 at 8:36 pm.

I see the gun haters are out and about, but they don't consider what his girl friend did to him over a lovers' spat. His girl friend got mad at him and turned him in. I hope this woman remembers what she did to this man for the rest of her life.

Nice to judge without all the facts.

Submitted by hbsvabeach on Wed, 07/02/2008 at 7:17 pm.

Do you think you're really hearing the entire story? The press like to go for the most sensational and negative side to any story. For instance, the courtroom was filled with people there to speak on his behalf - local businessmen and upstanding members of society. All is not as it seems. Tillman has seven children (three of whom he took into his home to raise as his own), a thriving marine repair business, and many friends who will all be negatively impacted by this sentence. We all agree that he should pay the price for the improper decision to keep illegal ordnance in his home. However, the entire story is not being told and his problems are being absolutely exaggerated.