Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, March 31, 2014
(EVANSVILLE) - A civilian manager at Crane Army Ammunition Activity weapons facility has been sentenced to federal prison for using an Army credit card to line his own pockets.
James Nathan Emmons, the production facilitator, plead guilty to a felony count of theft of public money in Evansville United States District Court. The judge sentenced Emmons to 18 months in federal prison.
Emmons was responsible for using a government credit card to purchase military supplies, but in 2012 federal agents started tracking personal charges for computers, professional-grade sound and DJ equipment, high-dollar amplifiers and speakers, as well as numerous handguns and rifles. Federal agents confiscated dozens of the items while searching Emmons' home and a storage unit. Agents say taxpayers ended up footing the bill for nearly $160,000 worth of items.
Prosecutors filed paperwork to have the goods forfeited to the government as part of the criminal proceedings against Emmons.
Agents found in Emmons' possession three pistols, including one with a night scope, along with a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22-caliber rifle and a .45-caliber rifle. They also confiscated 56 rounds of ammunition.
The computers seized by federal agents include a MacBook laptop, an Apple iPad with keyboard and twoHP Pavilion laptops.
Agents said Emmons used the government card to buy numerous speakers and amplifiers, as well as other professional sound equipment such as a Pioneer DJ mixer and two other audio mixers, along with 15 LED lights used for a DJ's sound stage.
A pastor and a number of family members wrote letters to the federal judge to urge a light sentence for Emmons' crimes.
He is free on bond and is set to report at a later date to serve his sentence. He will serve three years of supervised release probation after he is released from prison.
Crane Army Ammunition Activity public affairs officers did not respond to an email about whether Emmons has been removed from his position.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.