Citing court documents, the Los Angeles Times reported on 29/3 that Marine Corporal Andrew Paul Amarillas is accused of using his position as an armorer technician at the School of Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton to steal weapons, including at least one Javelin missile system. The alleged thefts occurred between 2/2022 and 11/2025.

Investigators state that Amarillas transported the stolen weapons and ammunition to his Arizona residence, where he sold them to accomplices. These individuals then resold the items to others for profit.

The FGM-148 Javelin, a self-guided shoulder-fired anti-tank missile, has been in US service since 1996. It is equipped with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (heat) warhead, designed to penetrate the top, sides, and rear of main battle tanks. Widely regarded as one of the world's most dangerous "tank killers," it can defeat many modern tank types.

Lockheed Martin and RTX exclusively manufacture this missile for the US military. Civilians are prohibited from owning or purchasing Javelin missiles unless they have been demilitarized.

Javelin missile launcher involved in the incident. *Photo: US Department of Justice*

Amarillas also stole M855A1 and M80A1 ammunition, enhanced performance rifle rounds produced by Olin Winchester exclusively for the US government. He also took conventional M855 rifle ammunition. While M855 rounds can sometimes be purchased directly from manufacturers, the specific M855 lots issued to the US military are packaged distinctly and are not authorized for civilian sale.

Prosecutors detailed that Amarillas once offered to sell an accomplice 30 cases of ammunition, totaling approximately 25,000 rounds. Over two weeks, the corporal stole and sold 66 cases of M855 ammunition, with about one-third now recovered. Undercover agents purchased some rounds from Amarillas's accomplices, while others were seized.

Prosecutors emphasized that Amarillas "was never authorized by the US military to remove Javelin missile systems and M855A1, M855 ammunition from Camp Pendleton, transport them to Arizona, and sell them to civilians for personal gain."

The corporal pleaded not guilty to the charges presented in federal court in Phoenix on 26/3. These charges include conspiracy to steal and embezzle government property, possession and trafficking of stolen ammunition, and other related offenses.

A judge ordered Amarillas detained pending trial, citing concerns that he might flee or tamper with evidence and witnesses at Camp Pendleton.

By Pham Giang