Six U.S. soldiers and two other men were indicted Thursday on charges of stealing and selling sensitive military equipment to foreign buyers including those from China, Russia and Ukraine.
The soldiers are stationed at Fort Campbell, which straddles the Tennessee-Kentucky border. A federal grand jury in Nashville, Tennessee, indicted the eight defendants.
The stolen equipment includes sniper telescopes, machine gun parts, body armor and grenade-launcher sights.
The indictment accuses the six soldiers of stealing the equipment and passing it to the two civilians who allegedly resold it on eBay, an internet auction site.
Among the customers were buyers in a number of foreign countries, including China, Russia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Mexico.
David Rivera, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, said the allegations “should in no way stain the honor of the brave men and women who proudly serve in our country’s armed forces and selflessly give everything to protect America’s freedom.”
