Ft. Bragg Officer Pleads Guilty And His Wife, The Executive Officer Of The Campbell University ROTC Program, Convicted In Government Property Theft That Profited More Than $2 Million

RALEIGH – Two Army Officers, who are also husband and wife, have been convicted in a multi-year activity involving the theft of more than $2 million in government property. Last week, Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3) Christopher Hammond, 38, pled guilty to theft/possession of government property and money laundering. On Thursday, his wife, Major Heather Hammond, 34, was convicted by a federal jury for spending money laundering proceeds and aiding and abetting. CW3 Hammond faces up to 30 years in prison, plus fines and restitution, and Major Hammond faces up to ten years in prison plus fines, when they are sentenced later this year.

“We are putting a stop to corruption at Ft. Bragg and those who use their official positions to line their own pockets. Mr. Hammond abused his position with the Army to steal and sell government property. He stole military scopes, weapons parts, tools, welding equipment, night vision goggles and ATVs,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “This gear was meant to support our troops in the fight for freedom, but the Hammonds sold it to retire in style.”

“Christopher and Heather Hammond betrayed the public trust by using their positions in the military for their own personal enrichment,” stated Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “DCIS and our investigative partners will continue to hold those accountable who steal government property for personal use or personal gain and compromise the military’s integrity.”

“This conviction is the latest result of our ongoing efforts to investigate fraud and theft and should serve as a stark reminder that Army CID will vigorously pursue anyone who attempts to enrich themselves at the expense of the U.S. Government,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Larry S. Moreland, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Major Procurement Fraud Field Office.

“Our service men and women make sacrifices for our country every day and it undermines their commitment when a fellow soldier steals the property they depend on to stay safe. The FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate these types of crimes to ensure this criminal abuse of power and betrayal does not go unpunished,” said Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, CW3 Hammond used his position to requisition government property intended for his unit at Ft. Bragg. The property was never logged into inventory at the base but was instead sold by Hammond to various individuals. In a two-year period, CW3 Hammond received at least $1.8 million in wire transfers related to the sales, which he deposited into bank accounts controlled by him and his wife.

The investigation traced about 200 items sold by CW3 Hammond or held in his home as having been issued to Hammond’s military unit. Major Hammond knowingly allowed use of her bank accounts, even suggesting the use of her accounts so the money would not go into Chief Hammond’s bank account. The fraud was uncovered when a supplier noticed that items procured under a government contract were being sent in for warranty repairs by a private individual.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle accepted CW3 Hammond’s plea and the jury verdict related to Major Hammond. Defense Criminal Investigative Services (DCIS), Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara Kocher and Logan Liles are prosecuting the case.