Federal authorities have uncovered a significant security breach involving military weapons and ammunition. A Marine from Camp Pendleton is accused of exploiting his position to steal and sell military-grade weapons, including a Javelin anti-tank missile system, to civilian buyers in Arizona.
Marine Charged with Theft and Sale of Military Weapons
Cpl. Andrew Paul Amarillas, a 23-year-old Marine from Glendale, Arizona, has been charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit theft and embezzlement of government property, along with possession and sale of stolen ammunition. Amarillas, who pleaded not guilty, is being held without bail following his March 26 appearance in a Phoenix federal courthouse, as detailed in the District of Arizona indictment.
Operation “Andrew Ammo”
According to the indictment, Amarillas, who worked as an ammunition technician specialist at the School of Infantry West, used his access to steal M855A1 enhanced-performance rifle rounds, standard M855 ammunition, and Javelin missile systems from Camp Pendleton between February 2022 and November 2025. His phone number was saved under the alias “Andrew Ammo” by a co-conspirator.
Amarillas allegedly transported the stolen goods to Arizona, where he sold them to two unnamed, unindicted co-conspirators. These individuals then transferred the materials to at least two Arizona companies.
“Just [got] some javs and some other ones,” Amarillas texted a co-conspirator. “[I] have 2 launchers that [I] think you’d like, if you want to take a look tomorrow.”
Uncovering the Stolen Inventory
Authorities seized a Javelin missile system, still fully operational, from an Arizona residence on October 10, 2025. The serial number matched a weapon Amarillas had checked out from the base on August 13, 2024. This raises concerns that more missile systems could be unaccounted for.
The volume of stolen ammunition was substantial. Amarillas is accused of moving 66 cans of M855 rifle rounds in just two weeks, while offering 30 cans in one transaction, totaling approximately 25,000 rounds. Prosecutors estimate that up to 2 million rounds of M855 could still be missing. The Los Angeles Times reported the recovery of only a third of the stolen ammunition.
Investigative Efforts and Legal Proceedings
Undercover agents purchased stolen ammunition from the Arizona companies during the investigation. Lot numbers traced back to supply points at Camp Pendleton and an Army depot in Utah, with records showing Amarillas had signed for the items. Arrested on March 5 at Quantico, Virginia, while attending a training course, Amarillas is considered a flight risk. The prosecution argues he might interfere with ongoing investigations at Camp Pendleton.
The conspiracy charge alone could result in a five-year prison sentence, with additional charges potentially adding ten years per count. Prosecutors stated, “The full extent of how much Defendant stole, to whom he all sold it, and how it has been used is not yet known.”
Jeff Houston, Acting Deputy Assistant Director, assured the Associated Press of ongoing efforts to investigate military weapons diversion.
Military Weapon Theft: An Ongoing Issue
The indictments against Amarillas are not isolated. Previous cases involve military personnel turning base access into profit. In 2024, Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Hammond received a three-year sentence for stealing government equipment at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, reaping $1.8 million.
Similarly, in 2025, Benjamin Alvarado Jr. was sentenced to ten years for dealing in $2.75 million worth of stolen military equipment. Explosive thefts at Twentynine Palms and ammunition thefts at Camp Pendleton further highlight ongoing security challenges.
A 2021 AP investigation revealed that the Pentagon had ceased annual reports to Congress on missing weapons, with at least 1,900 military firearms lost or stolen over a decade. The Amarillas case is unique due to the high-profile nature of the stolen items, specifically the live Javelin missile system intended for civilian sale.
