Montana man sentenced for theft from US Air Force base

GREAT FALLS, Montana — A Montana man was sentenced Thursday for conspiracy to defraud the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter, District of Montana.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations (OSI).

John Edmonston, 54, of Great Falls, a civilian, was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay restitution of $5,523.65 to Malmstrom Air Force Base.  Edmonston and at least three other individuals (all enlisted in the U.S. Air Force) were part of a scheme to take equipment and tools from Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. They either used government purchase credit cards to purchase items directly for themselves, or they took items that had been previously purchased for the base.  U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris presided over the sentencing.  

In documents filed with the court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office outlined the evidence against Edmonston.  Edmonston was the Vehicle Management Flight Chief for the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron (341 LRS).  He is a 20-year Air Force veteran and served as the chief in this squadron as a civilian.  OSI had been contacted by a witness who reported seeing improper purchases using Government Purchase Cards (GPC Cards) or taking items previously purchased with U.S. Air Force funds.  Edmonston was an “approving official” for the GPC cards; therefore, items within the 341 LRS were purchased with his approval and knowledge, even if items purchased with GPC Cards were issued to other individuals within the squadron.

OSI obtained copies of government emails between Edmonston and other individuals sent between August 2014 and January 2015. The emails revealed the extent of Edmonston’s direction and involvement.  For example, Edmonston directed subordinates to purchase improper items with GPCs.  In one email, Edmonston instructed a subordinate, in reference to an incoming purchase, this is “[s]tuff to stash in back once it rolls in” and the “[l]east amount of people seeing the better.”  In a later email, Edmonston acknowledged mistakenly having the improperly purchased items delivered to the 341 LRS.

Law enforcement conducted a search of Edmonston’s residence in June 2015.  Law enforcement seized items previously purchased with U.S. Air Force funds.  A subsequent search of a co-conspirator’s residence also led to the discovery of improperly purchased items.