Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man in Connection with Alleged Diesel Fuel Theft at Military Facility
Thousands of Dollars’ Worth of Diesel Fuel Allegedly Stolen from West Virginia Guard Facility in Red House
| U.S. Attorney’s Office July 31, 2013 |
CHARLESTON—A federal grand jury sitting in Charleston indicted a Red House man on Tuesday in connection with an alleged theft scheme that took thousands of dollars’ worth of diesel fuel from a military facility located in Putnam County, announced U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin. Charles Raymond Franklin, 59, of Red House, West Virginia, was charged in a three-count indictment with conspiracy to steal and receive public property and conspiring to receive stolen government property.
The indictment alleges that on February 15, 2013, Franklin knowingly received approximately 196 gallons of diesel fuel that was stolen from the West Virginia National Guard’s Combined Support Maintenance Shop located in Red House.
The Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW), a component of the U.S. Navy, contracted with the West Virginia National Guard to run its Operational Stock (Ops Stock) program that stored and maintained equipment for naval operations at the facility in Red House. The heavy equipment that was maintained by the Guard as part of the Ops Stock program used diesel fuel.
The indictment further alleges that on February 19, 2013, Franklin received approximately 194 gallons of diesel fuel that was also stolen from the facility in Red House. Franklin allegedly purchased the stolen diesel fuel at a greatly discounted rate from an individual known to the grand jury.
Franklin faces up to five years on the receiving stolen property charge and up to 10 years in prison on each charge of conspiring to receive stolen government property, if convicted. Franklin also faces a $250,000 fine on each count.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Blaire Malkin is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty