4 soldiers sentenced for nearly $3 million theft of military gear from Fort Cavazos

Five men received prison sentences, probation, and fines in federal court for their roles in stealing nearly $3 million worth of military equipment from Fort Cavazos. The group, composed primarily of soldiers, was involved in the theft of nearly 24,000 pieces of equipment over multiple instances from 2017 to 2021. They sold the stolen items to Benjamin Alvarado Jr., who was eventually caught attempting to sell them online.

Alvarado, aged 32, faced the harshest punishment, receiving a 10-year federal prison sentence and a restitution order of nearly $2.4 million. He pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to steal government property and money laundering. His criminal activities included selling military items online and transferring a Joint Chemical Agent Detector M4A1 to a buyer in China.

Among Alvarado's accomplices, soldiers Darius Alston, Justin Wallas, and Gabriel Taylor also received sentences. Alston and Wallas were each sentenced to 2½ years in prison, while Taylor received five years of probation. Collectively, they owe $618,750 in restitution. Kynyqus Bryant was sentenced to five years of probation and fined $2,000 for his involvement in the thefts.

The stolen items included M-50 gas masks, night vision devices, body armor, and other military gear. Court records indicate that Bryant and Alston were responsible for the thefts, with Taylor acting as a lookout. Alston provided details about the presence of Taylor and Wallas during many thefts, although their specific ranks were not mentioned.

Law enforcement recovered more than 24,000 stolen items valued at approximately $2.75 million, alongside an additional $100,000 worth of military property at a Killeen storage facility. Alvarado used profits from the stolen items to purchase a home and a luxury sports car, both of which were forfeited to the government.