NORFOLK
Three sailors charged with stealing five weapons from their workplace at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base have been sentenced to jail time.
Devin A. Stoops and Marques L. Carter, both petty officers third class, and Seaman Recruit Bryan Schmitz were assigned to Assault Craft Unit Two.
In mid-February, a weapons inventory revealed that four automatic rifles, a handgun and ammunition were missing from an office where the guns were temporarily stored before a planned transfer to the armory. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service recovered three weapons out of state.
Stoops and Schmitz both pleaded guilty to larceny. Stoops was sentenced to 10 months in the brig, a $2,000 fine, reduction in rank to seaman recruit and a bad conduct discharge. Schmitz received 15 months confinement, a $2,000 fine and a bad conduct discharge.
Carter, who was charged with being an accessory after the fact, received nine months in the brig, a $2,000 fine, reduction in rank to seaman recruit and a bad conduct discharge.
Lt. John Fage, a spokesman for Expeditionary Strike Group Two, said other sailors in the unit received administrative punishments in connection with the case.
"Assault Craft Unit Two approaches security and safety very seriously in all aspects of daily operations," Fage said. "This was simply a case of several individuals who were highly determined to deprive the Navy of its equipment, and they've been dealt with accordingly."
Kate Wiltrout, (757) 446-2629, kate.wiltrout@pilotonline.com
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