An unlawful playing operator from Corpus Christi, Texas, has been sentenced to 27 months in jail for the theft of greater than $2 million value of delicate navy tools from the US Military.
Nathan Nichols in a mug shot above, deliberate to promote $2.1 million in stolen navy tools on eBay. (Picture: 3 Information)
Nathan Nichols, 46, ran two bars in his hometown, Girl Luck and Theo’s Bar. Authorities consider they housed unlawful sweepstakes machines often known as 8-liners.
The machines are so named due to their eight pay strains. They’re nominally authorized in Texas after they supply tickets that may be redeemed for merchandise as prizes. However Nichols’ prospects positioned bets earlier than every spin and obtained winnings in money, making them unlawful, in line with prosecutors.
The US Military was additionally investigating the theft of high-tech gear from its base at Fort Hood, about 200 miles from Corpus Christi. On June 17, 2021, they found that locks had been reduce on 17 transport containers on the base. A subsequent audit revealed that 137 objects had been lacking.
When one of many objects, a thermal scope, turned up on eBay for $4,500, the path led straight to the vendor, Nichols. The bar proprietor had different objects listed on the market that matched the serial numbers of the stolen tools.
Tools Stash
Whereas raids on the 2 bars turned up the anticipated playing machines at Nichol’s residence, investigators discovered an array of laser vary finders, thermal scopes, night-vision scopes, laser aiming units, and greater than 100 night-vision goggles.
The objects had been stolen from the bottom by two military veterans, Jessica Elaintrell Smith and Brandon Dominic Brown, in line with stories through the trial.
Smith pleaded responsible in April 2022 to 1 rely of conspiracy to defraud the US authorities and was sentenced to 18 months in jail, adopted by two years of post-release supervision. She was additionally ordered to pay the US Military just below $1.3 million in restitution.
Brown additionally pleaded responsible and was sentenced to 3 years probation plus a $1.3 million effective. He was much less culpable as a result of he solely took half in a single raid on the transport containers, whereas Smith was concerned in two.
Nichols Confession
Nichols pleaded responsible in March 2022 to conducting an unlawful playing enterprise and conspiring to steal authorities property.
As a part of his responsible plea, he agreed to forfeit a complete of $2,185,218.73 and can stay in custody pending switch to a US Bureau of Prisons facility to be decided within the close to future.
