SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A former Camp Pendleton defense contractor plead guilty to conspiring to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical equipment meant for military personnel overseas.
John Montano, 44, of Grants, N.M., plead guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to engage in theft of government property, the Office of the United States Attorney Southern District of California said.
Montano was charged with participating in a theft ring that saw $250,000 worth of medical equipment stolen, including anesthesia machines, autoclaves, ventilators, ultrasound machines, defibrillators and laryngoscopes among other items meant for injured U.S. Marines overseas.
The equipment came from Camp Pendleton's 1st Medial Logistics Company (MEDLOG), which is responsible for maintaining media equipment and shipping necessary medical items to combat forces around the world.
Montano admitted to using his knowledge and access as a contractor to 1st MEDLOG's warehouse to help co-conspirators steal the equipment and sell it on the open market.
Many of the co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty for their participation in the scheme.
As part of his plea, Montano has agreed to a restitution order of $250,000 to repay the U.S. Marine Corps.
