Texas illegal gambling operator Nathan Nichols has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for stealing classified US Army military equipment.
46-year-old American Nathan Nichols stole over $2 million worth of military equipment. He invested the stolen funds in an underground casino located in Corpus Christi, Texas. It is reported by Casino.org.
The man stole thermal sights, laser rangefinders, thermal imagers, night vision devices, laser sights and night vision goggles with the help of his accomplices, who were previously on duty at the Fort Hood military base, located several hundred kilometers from his hometown, in which he ran two bars, Lady Luck and Theo’s Bar.
The state authorities believed that they were illegal slot machines with the ability to place bets and receive cash winnings.
When one of the items, a thermal scope, was listed on eBay for $4,500, the trail led straight to the seller, Nichols. The owner of the bar also put up other items for sale, the serial numbers of which matched the serial numbers of the stolen equipment.
More than 100 night vision goggles were found during a search
Photo: Focus collage
During searches of two bars, suspected slot machines were found, and in the man’s house, investigators found an array of laser rangefinders, thermal imaging sights, night vision scopes, laser sights, and more than 100 night vision goggles.
In addition, law enforcement officers arrested Nichols’ accomplice Jessica Eleintrell Smith. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison, after which she will be under two years of observation, and she will also have to pay just under $1.3 million.
A third member of the gang, Dominic Brown, confessed to the crime. He was sentenced to three years in prison and received a $1.3 million fine.
In March 2022, Nichols pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling business and conspiracy to embezzle government property.
Focus previously wrote that a British millionaire sold a “men’s entertainment cave” for just £1. 70-year-old accountant Graham Wildin built a 10,000 sq. feet to his home in 2014. This was done by a man without proper building permission from the city council, which led to protracted litigation.
It was also reported that the former mansion of singer Madonna is being sold in Hollywood. The estate, built at the beginning of the last century, was put up for sale for $21 million.
