The San Francisco Chronicle reported that a third co-defendant in the weapons smuggling charges involving a Navy SEAL has entered a plea of guilty, in a court in Nevada.
Richard Paul of Durango, Colorado, pleaded guilty to charges of selling smuggled weapons. His sentencing has been set for April 15, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Roger Hunt. He could face up to 15 years in prison, and $500,000 in fines.
According to reports by federal agents, five pounds of C-4 military explosives were found in Paul’s home in Colorado. He was arrested last November 4.
Last month, Andrew Kauffman and Omar Aguirre, also pleaded guilty to the charges against them. Kauffman pleaded guilty to conspiracy and illegal transfer of machine guns, while Aguirre pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. Kauffman, Aguirre, and Paul have all agreed to cooperate with prosecutors and testify against Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nicholas Bickle.
With Paul’s guilty plea, Bickle is the only remaining defendant who entered a plea of not guilty, and will be facing trial on charges of federal conspiracy and weapons charges.
According to the report, Paul acknowledged the truth of facts in a document that contained the allegations against them. He and his lawyer, federal public defender Shari Kaufman, did not give comments after the hearing.
Bickle has been described by federal prosecutor Drew Smith as the “mastermind” and “chief weapons smuggler,” while Paul was described as the “primary seller” of the operation. Prosecutors allege that Bickle was able to smuggle the weapons because Navy SEALs are not searched when they return from deployment.
January 5th, 2011 - 6:13 am
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January 6th, 2011 - 8:55 pm
It’s hard to believe that these operators are giving up their careers after so much hard work and sacrifice to earn a Trident. Throwing that away is beyond imagination, getting to serve on teams is an honor. I don’t understand where these Seal’s minds are. I have had the privilege of meeting some of the best Seals and I would have given anything to have served with them. To sell out on the Special Ops Community, you can’t get any lower than that. These men have to be missing something and it really shows. An E-6 selling out is really sad and leading others to follow? They are a disgrace to the teams and deserve to be prosecuted. To be a team member is an honor that can’t be compromised, they have really blown it. It’s beyond stupid, I don’t see what they get out of that. All for a few dollars and to sell weapons that will probably be used against our guys or Law Enforcement? Why did they want to become Seals if they can’t live up to the honor of team loyalty? Stuff this stupid is always hard to understand. At least they won’t end up on teams again and compromise a mission with that type of personality. I still respect their hard work for getting a Trident but am confused seeing them falling for such a stupid ploy and an illegal decision that attempts to bring bad publicity to such a great Special Warfare Group. What a waste.
January 8th, 2011 - 7:36 am
Money is truly the root of all evil. Are we paying our soldiers a living wage that allows them to support a family? This arms deal is an extreme case but why are there always rows of pawn shops and loan offices next to our bases? As in all fields, you get what you pay for. We want the best and the brightest and they should get a decent wage.We do not need to have our men in arms distracted from their duties by debts. These men selling weapons were only thinking of money, if they had been making more in their check would the temptation still be there? For some,just as in civilian life,yes, money is all they want.The greedy have no pride in their unit or their country. We throw millions of dollars at governments that publicly hate us, why do we not spend as freely on those who love our country and risk their lives for us every day? God Bless and protect our Soldiers from Harm