Vermont Army National Guard Supply Sergeant Indicted For Stealing Pallets of Military Gear from Rutland Armory

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Ammon Yule, 42, of Chittenden, Vermont was arrested today.  A federal grand jury indicted Yule for three counts of theft of government property and three counts of mail fraud in connection with Yule’s work as a Vermont Army National Guard supply sergeant in Rutland.

Yule pled not guilty to the charges at his arraignment today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy.  Judge Conroy ordered Yule released on conditions pending trial.

According to court records, Yule devised a scheme through which he ordered large quantities of uniform items from Army warehouses in Kentucky to be shipped to his attention at a National Guard facility in Rutland.  Yule then sold much of the gear he received on eBay, on which he maintained an account advertising new, official U.S. government-issue uniform items for sale.  Between March 2017 and March 2018 alone, Yule stole dozens of boots, parkas and duffel bags from the U.S. government through this scheme.

If convicted, Yule faces a maximum of ten years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count of theft of government property, and a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count of mail fraud.  The actual sentence however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines.  The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

United States Attorney Christina Nolan commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.  She stated:  “My office will continue to vigilantly guard the public fisc.  In particular, we will bring consequences to those who would steal precious resources from our armed services.”

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Spencer Willig.  The defendant is represented by the Federal Public Defender.