Citrus Heights man admits to stealing, selling military gear while serving in Navy

By Sara Beth Williams–
A Citrus Heights man pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy and six counts of money laundering as previously charged in a federal grand jury indictment, according to a United States Attorney’s Office press release.

Richard Allen, 52, of Citrus Heights, served for more than twenty years in the United States Navy before his discharge as a Petty Officer First Class, according to the Aug. 29 press release. Allen admitted to a federal judge in Rhode Island that he participated in a scheme to steal and sell hundreds of thousands of dollars of government property from a Navy base responsible for supplying ships in the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet, while still actively serving in the Navy.

According to information presented in court, Allen and others repeatedly broke into a warehouse at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown-Cheatham Annex, in Williamsburg, VA where he was stationed at the time. The warehouse held U.S. Navy gear, including working uniforms, winter gear, flame retardant shirts and pants, soft body armor, goggles, infrared flag patches, and more.

According to the press release, Allen and his co-conspirators stole $856,433 worth of Navy gear and supplies and stored the items in various locations before reselling items to domestic and international bulk-sale customers. Payment for the stolen goods was frequently made and received via PayPal and then transferred to co-conspirators’ bank accounts, the release said, including multiple payments made from an account in China.

The conspiracy was investigated by multiple organizations, including Homeland Security and the FBI.

Allen is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26, 2024.