This Article is From Oct 07, 2014

Soldier Pleads Guilty to Stealing Fuel From Base in Afghanistan

Greenville, North Carolina: Prosecutors say a Fort Bragg soldier has pleaded guilty to his part in a scheme to steal more than $400,000 worth of fuel from a base in Afghanistan.

Authorities said in a news release that 25-year-old Alexander Swim would escort a foreign driver to the fuel depot at Forward Operating Base Sharana, let him fill up a tanker with American fuel and drive off.

Prosecutors say more than 180,000 gallons (681,000 liters) of fuel was stolen over nine months in 2012.

Swim pleaded guilty Monday to theft of fuel in federal court. He faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution when he is sentenced at a later date.

A second soldier, James Travis, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty.

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