Warrant Officer Christopher Hammond and his wife, Heather, have been charged with defrauding the military for over $2 million, according to an unsealed indictment.
Hammond was assigned to the Group Support Battalion at 3rd Special Forces Group where he served as a supply officer. His wife was an active-duty Army Major serving in another unit.
According to the indictment, Hammond used his position to request equipment that was due to be decommissioned through the Defense Logistics Agency. He also requested military gear through the military supply chain stating the items were for 3rd Special Forces Group soldiers deploying.
However, the indictment says these items were laundered through a third party left unnamed, and the resulting funds were then funneled into investment accounts belonging to Hammond and his wife.
The items fraudulently requested include upper and lower rifle receivers, bolts, firing pins, scopes, gun cases, holsters, and other firearm parts. An electric guitar, lathes, a sword, power tools, welding equipment, night vision goggles, all-terrain vehicles, and milling machines were also requested.
The scheme ran for four years from 2018 to 2022 with the largesse resulting from the defendant's grift coming in at excess of $2 million, according to the indictment. The couple dumped the funds primarily into investment accounts with Charles Schwab and Robinhood.
Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of the stolen U.S. government property while Hammond awaits his day in court.
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