A Norfolk naval officer has pleaded guilty to stealing military equipment

NORFOLK, VA. On Monday, US Navy Chief Petty Officer Sean Claude Crowell, 40, pleaded guilty to theft of government property after stealing military equipment that he later sold online. He will be sentenced on April 11, 2025, and faces up to 10 years in prison.

According to court documents, Crowell was assigned to the Atlantic Helicopter Sea Combat Wing at Naval Base Norfolk from December 2022 to September 2024. Records show that Crowell was responsible for the inspection and inventory of military equipment belonging to the command.

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The Justice Department alleges that Crowell stole numerous government items, including seven sets of night vision goggles, two Matbock Tarsier Eclipse lenses and eight batteries for the night vision goggles, between January 2023 and June 2023. The value of the stolen items was at least $164,646.

Steve Helber/AP

Court documents also show Crowell used online advertisements to sell five sets of stolen night vision goggles to third-party buyers for $19,947 between February and May 2023.

In March of that year, Crowell allegedly put two Matbock Tarsier Eclipse lenses up for sale under the International Arms Trade Regulations.

Officials say Crowell sold the stolen lenses for $300. On April 1, 2023, Crowell allegedly sold eight batteries for night vision goggles for $500.

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On May 10, 2023, investigators from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service interviewed Crowell and searched his vehicle. NCIS found one of the stolen sets of night vision goggles in the car.