Army vet sentenced to 18 months, must pay $1.3M, for stealing Fort Hood military gear

An Army veteran who was facing up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to participating in the theft of $2.1 million worth of military gear from Fort Hood received a prison sentence plus a hefty restitution payment.

During a remote hearing on Tuesday afternoon, Jessica Elaintrell Smith, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton to 18 months in prison, followed by two years of probation. Tipton ordered that Smith pay nearly $1.3 million as restitution to the U.S. Army. While in prison, she will have to pay $25 per quarter, and then $250 a month once she is released. At a rate of $250 per month, it would take more than 400 years to pay off nearly $1.3 million.

She also will have to pay the U.S. $100 as a “special assessment.”

A co-defendant in the case, Nathan Nichols, who has pleaded guilty and is set to be sentenced in October, also will contribute to paying the restitution amount, Tipton said.

Smith, Nichols and another person were accused of stealing dozens of Army thermal scopes, as well as night vision goggles and other equipment from Fort Hood. The were caught after the high-dollar gear turned up for sale on eBay.

Read more: https://kdhnews.com/news/crime/army-vet-sentenced-to-18-months-must-pay-1-3m-for-stealing-fort-hood-military/article_c8723848-12ac-11ed-a608-bfc6df0e6d0f.html
(Killeen Daily Herald)