Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Anthony David Olson, 53, ofMauk, Georgia, was sentenced on Thursday, January 9, 2014, to serve 55 months imprisonment for the crimes of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and filing a false tax return. Olson’s codefendant, Patrick Edward Keefe, 34, of Dayville, Connecticut, was sentenced on the same date to serve 33 months imprisonment for the crime of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The sentences were handed down by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States District Court Judge, in Albany, Georgia.
Both defendants entered pleas of guilty to the charges on September 27, 2013. In their plea agreements, Mr. Olson and Mr. Keefe admitted that from approximately 1999 to 2009, they were active duty sailors or otherwise employed by the United States Navy. Mr. Olson was assigned to work as a pharmacy technician at the Naval Branch Medical Clinic located on the Marine· Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) in Albany, Georgia. Mr. Keefe was a pharmacy technician at the Naval Hospital located in Groton, Connecticut. The pair stole insulin and diabetic test strips and sold them to an unlicensed drug wholesaler in Florida. Payments for the products were delivered by electronic funds transfers or credit card payments. These actions were a continuation of a scheme begun by Mr. Olson in approximately 2001 while assigned to another naval hospital. Mr. Olson recruited Mr. Keefe into the scheme in approximately 2002.
PayPal records show that from January 2005 through October 2009, Mr. Olson received approximately $1,037,458 for insulin and diabetic test strips which he and Mr. Keefe had stolen from their respective pharmacies. From that amount, he paid Mr. Keefe approximately $241,849. In addition, Mr. Keefe admitted that he filed false tax returns for tax years 2005 – 2009, leaving taxes due and owing to the IRS in the amount of $191,808.
In imposing the sentences, Judge Sands noted that the defendants’ actions involved a reckless risk of death or serious bodily injury to diabetics, as the stolen insulin was not properly refrigerated by the unlicensed wholesaler.
United State Attorney Moore stated, “Mr. Olson and Mr. Keefe betrayed the trust of the United States Navy when they stole and sold essential diabetic medical supplies and tried to line their own pockets. Their conduct is inexcusable and has been justly punished.”
“NCIS is committed to safeguarding Department of the Navy personnel and resources that are intended to provide for the well-being of our Sailors and Marines. Theft schemes that degrade the readiness of America’s war fighters are unacceptable,” stated Special Agent in Charge Andrew P. Snowdon, NCIS Southeast Field Office.
“Olson and Keefe exploited their positions for their own personal financial gain at the expense of the American taxpayers,” stated Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “At the IRS, protecting taxpayer money is a matter we take extremely seriously. We are pleased to have been instrumental in the prosecution of Olson and Keefe for their crimes.”
The case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alan Dasher.