Airman charged with theft after undercover ATF investigation

A federal investigation into the theft of military equipment and ammunition from Nellis Air Force Base resulted in the arrest of two men.

The investigation, which began on October 1, was conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Air Force’s special investigations office.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Owens and Temogen Noguni were arrested for stealing and selling government property.

Owens, who is the combat arms training manager for the 58th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, is accused of stealing several hundred rounds of .50 caliber armor-piercing ammunition as well as other items.

The 58th Rescue Squadron supplies the skilled forces who travel the world to rescue downed servicemen in combat conditions.

Owens faces one felony count of theft of government property.

Temogen Noguni, a 36-year-old resident of Henderson, Nevada, was charged separately with the sale of government property without lawful authority.

A third person, Daniel Schwartz was also arrested but has not been charged.

The criminal complaint against Schwartz alleges that he sold an undercover agent 2,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition and two smoke grenades stolen from the Air Force base.

Schwartz admitted to the investigators that he bought equipment and ammunition from Owens in the past. After a search of Schwartz’s home and business, the investigators found military items Schwartz said he purchased from Owens.

Noguni, who is employed by Schwartz, also admitted to purchasing military items from Owens.

After he had been arrested, Owens told the investigators that he had stolen and sold a variety of items from the base.

The items Owens admitted to stealing include numerous crates of 9 mm and 5.56 mm ammunition, a thermal scope, two target illuminators, three pairs of night vision goggles, three protective plate carriers, and several crates of the .50 caliber armor-piercing ammunition.

Investigators also found three M-4 laser sights in Owens’s car.

During the investigation, Noguni sold 80 rounds of armor-piercing ammunition to an undercover agent for $2,000. He also sold another 240 rounds of the ammunition with night vision goggles to the undercover agent for $4,500.

During the investigation, Owens was observed meeting with Schwartz and Noguni at Swartz’s electronic cigarette store.

According to investigators, Owens was one of two people at Nellis Air Force Base that could sign out munitions from the 58th Rescue Squadron.

A spokesman for Nellis Air Force Base could not be reached for comment.