A U.S. Marine allegedly stole a fully operational Javelin missile system from Camp Pendleton and sold it to criminals, exposing a three-year insider breach that could arm terrorists or endanger cops nationwide.
Story Snapshot
- Corporal Andrew Paul Amarillas, an ammunition specialist, faces federal charges for stealing weapons and ammo over 3.5 years.
- Key theft: Undemilitarized Javelin antitank missile, plus thousands of military-grade rounds trafficked to Arizona buyers.
- Plea: Not guilty on March 27, 2026; judge holds him as flight risk amid ongoing probe.
- Security fallout: Reveals gaps in military base safeguards, sparking calls for tighter controls.
- National stakes: Stolen gear threatens civilians, law enforcement, and U.S. defense integrity.
Amarillas Exploits Insider Access at Camp Pendleton
Corporal Andrew Paul Amarillas served as an ammunition technical specialist at the School of Infantry West on Camp Pendleton. This San Diego County base trains Marines in infantry weapons. His role granted authorized entry to storage areas holding restricted gear. From February 2022 to November 2025, he allegedly diverted items including a Javelin missile system. Prosecutors charge him with transporting and selling to Arizona conspirators for profit. The scheme’s duration points to deliberate evasion of audits.
Javelin Missile: Battlefield Killer in Criminal Hands
The Javelin, built by Lockheed Martin and RTX Corp., fires antitank missiles to destroy armored vehicles, helicopters, and bunkers. Stolen units remained fully operational, not demilitarized for civilian use. Federal filings detail offers of 25,000 M855 rifle rounds in one deal alone. Undercover officers bought ammo from conspirators; authorities recovered the Javelin and about one-third of 66 ammo cans, roughly 8,250 rounds. Remaining items fuel ongoing hunts for buyers.
Federal Charges and Court Proceedings Unfold
March 2026 brought a federal complaint in U.S. District Court, District of Arizona. It accuses Amarillas of conspiracy to steal and sell U.S. military property. On March 27, 2026, he pleaded not guilty in Phoenix. A judge detained him, citing flight risk and potential witness tampering at Pendleton. Prosecutors emphasize the gear’s danger to civilians and police. Co-conspirators resold items in a multi-state web, per court records.
Amarillas’s position betrayed core military trust. Common sense demands swift accountability for such breaches, aligning with conservative priorities on law, order, and national defense. Facts show prosecutors built a strong case from undercover buys and seizures.
U.S. Marine Accused of Stealing Javelin Missile System and Large Quantities of Ammo from California Base | The Gateway Pundit | by Anthony Scott https://t.co/TjSY7FZ99g
— SigTorYTTP (@SigTorYTTP) March 30, 2026
Security Breaches Demand Military Overhaul
Camp Pendleton houses vast weapon stockpiles, making insider thefts catastrophic. This case spotlights failed inventory checks over years. Authorities note not all stolen material is recovered, hinting at wider distribution. U.S. Marine Corps now faces scrutiny on vetting ammo handlers. Enhanced protocols loom: stricter access, real-time tracking, and cross-agency intel sharing.
National Security and Public Safety Risks
Operational Javelins in criminal networks threaten law enforcement and innocents. The multi-state sales ring suggests organized crime, not impulse. Short-term, bases tighten security, disrupting ops. Long-term, expect policy shifts, congressional probes, and eroded trust in clearances. Defense firms like Lockheed face supply chain headaches. Arizona communities grapple with armed unknowns nearby.
Sources:
Marine Accused of Stealing, Selling Weapons from Camp Pendleton – Los Angeles Times
