Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

2 men charged with theft, sale of military property

The Nevada U.S. Attorney's office filed a criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas today against two men in connection with the theft of military property and sale of that property to a local gun store.

The complaint named John Call, operator of Citadel Gun and Safe at 4305 Dean Martin Drive, Suite 165, and Marco Antonio Reyes, a member of the Nevada Army National Guard assigned to the 17th Sustainment Brigade.

Reyes, who is being held at the Henderson Detention Facility, was scheduled to appear today before federal Magistrate Judge George Foley. An initial appearance date for Call hasn't been set. Call had been released without arrest after agreeing to cooperate with law enforcement.

The complaint, signed by Special Agent Steven Cox of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, charges Call and Reyes with one count each of conspiracy to defraud the federal government and unauthorized sale of U.S. military property.

According to the complaint, Reyes allegedly used his position as an Army guardsman to steal and sell military property. Cox stated that a confidential source who is an Air Force veteran told him in June that a pallet of body armor plates was stolen from Nellis Air Force Base in December 2010 or January and that Call possessed that property. Call allegedly told the source on July 31 that he possessed 10 body armor plates and was willing to sell them.

With cooperation from the Air Force investigations office, the source paid the gun store $920 for two body armor plates, two interceptor vests used to carry the plates while worn, two military infrared strobe lights and a chemical warfare suit with associated equipment. Call allegedly told the source that more military gear was in storage at Call's Las Vegas residence.

On Aug. 9, the source with Air Force cooperation spent an additional $950 at the gun store for an M-192 heavy weapons mount and a box containing 12 meals ready to eat. Printed on the box of MREs were the words "U.S. Government Property Commercial Resale Is Unlawful." The source was also shown other military gear both in the store and in an adjacent storage facility.

Another Air Force special agent later arranged on Aug. 16 to purchase a body armor vest, heavy weapon mounts and other military equipment from Call for $3,700, according to the complaint. The agent arranged for another purchase on Aug. 19, a $10,300 transaction that occurred in a parking lot at Alliante Station casino in North Las Vegas, the complaint stated. Call was apprehended at the scene.

According to the complaint, Call said he had purchased military equipment from several individuals over the past year even though he suspected that many of the items were stolen. Call said Reyes sold him 100 cases of MREs, military chemical warfare gear and M-192 mounts in early August.

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