Two Air Force Non-Commissioned Officers Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Property in Scheme to Steal U.S. Air Force Ammunition

Spokane, Washington – United States Air Force Staff Sergeants John I. Sanger and Eric A. Eagleton have been arrested on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Property. According to charging documents, Sanger, Eagleton, and others engaged in a conspiracy in March 2022 to steal ammunition belonging to the United States Government. As part of the scheme, Sanger, Eagleton, and their conspirators are alleged to have stolen thousands of rounds of U.S. Air Force ammunition. According to charging documents, they also falsified records at Fairchild Air Force Base to conceal the theft.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref commended the joint efforts of law enforcement and emphasized the importance of safeguarding government property and resources. “As the U.S. Attorney, I will not tolerate any abuse of trust by those charged with protecting our great Nation and community. So many of those who serve at Fairchild Air Force Base are career public servants who sacrifice their time, energy, and even their lives to keep America safe. When individuals put their own interests ahead of others and abuse the public trust, those individuals dishonor the countless public servants who dedicate their lives to government and military service. I commend the FBI and Air Force Office of Special Investigations, who identified this scheme and who serve diligently to keep our country and communities safe and strong.”

“Members of our nation’s armed forces swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” said Donald M. Voiret, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle Field Office. “There is no exception to set aside this oath to achieve personal goals. The FBI, along with our partners in the Air Force and U.S. Attorney’s Office, are upholding our oaths and ending this criminal conspiracy.”

As the Department of the Air Force’s federal law enforcement arm, the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) works closely with interagency partners to identify and neutralize threats to the force in any form to include the theft of government property and its use for criminal gain. “I am proud of the expertise and commitment that went into this difficult and complex operation from all involved. From its start, force protection and community safety were our top priorities. I am in awe of how our law enforcement partners came together to halt this dangerous conspiracy,” stated Brigadier General Terry Bullard, Commander, OSI.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, Inland Northwest Joint Terrorism Task Force (“INJTTF”), and the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI).

This case is being prosecuted by Patrick J. Cashman, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.