NEW HAMPSHIRE MAN CHARGED WITH THEFT OF MILITARY ITEMS

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire Tom Colantuono, ATFE Resident Agent in Charge Cliff Ellston and FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office Warren Bamford, announced today that Joseph Downing, formerly of Thornton, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to theft and attempted sale of stolen military items, including two high explosive rocket grenades and to possession of firearms that were not registered in the National Firearms and Transfer Record.

In late 2004 or early 2005, Downing, who served in Iraq with a unit of the Vermont National Guard, mailed the military items to his home in New Hampshire from his station in Iraq. The items he mailed were the property of the United States. The case came to the attention of the United States after Downing attempted to sell the items.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 10, 2008. If convicted, Downing faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney tom Colantuono stated: “The men and women who are in our armed forces place themselves at risk everyday in service to our country. When an individual seeks to use his position in our military for personal financial gain, it must be addressed aggressively. My office will continue to work with law enforcement in prosecuting those who seek to financially benefit from the trust placed in them by our military.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.