U.S. Marine Corporal Accused of Stealing Javelin Missile Systems and Millions of Rounds of Ammunition from Camp Pendleton then SOLD them in Arizona
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U.S. Marine Corporal Accused of Stealing Javelin Missile Systems and Millions of Rounds of Ammunition from Camp Pendleton then SOLD them in Arizona
March 30, 2026
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A 23-year-old U.S. Marine corporal has been indicted on federal charges after authorities say he exploited his position as an ammunition technician to steal at least one Javelin anti-tank missile system and potentially up to 2 million rounds of military-grade ammunition from a major California base, then transported and sold the restricted "weapons of war" in Arizona.
Corporal Andrew Paul Amarillas, a Glendale, Arizona native, was arrested and is in federal custody following a grand jury indictment in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Prosecutors allege the thefts occurred over several years, from February 2022 through November 2025, while Amarillas worked at the School of Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County.
As an ammunition technician specialist, Amarillas had authorized access to restricted military weapons, explosives, and large stockpiles of ammunition. Court documents claim he signed out a Javelin missile system and other materiel, then removed them without authorization for personal profit. Text messages cited in the complaint allegedly show him arranging sales, including one August exchange where he wrote, “Just got some javs and some other ones. Have 2 launchers that [I] think you’d like, if you want to take a look tomorrow,” and included a photo of a Javelin system whose serial number matched one issued from the base.
Federal agents recovered at least one Javelin missile system traced back to Camp Pendleton, along with some of the stolen ammunition. However, prosecutors warned in detention paperwork that as many as 2 million rounds of M855 ammunition—widely used in 5.56mm rifles—could remain unaccounted for. The stolen items included military-grade ammunition not legal for civilian possession.
Amarillas allegedly moved the contraband across state lines to Arizona, where he sold it to a network of co-conspirators. Investigators linked him to the scheme through military inventory records, seized weapons, lot numbers on ammunition, and the incriminating communications.
The case has raised serious concerns about security lapses at one of the Marine Corps' largest installations on the West Coast. Javelin systems, portable shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons, are advanced pieces of military hardware that have seen extensive combat use. Their diversion into civilian or black-market hands represents a significant national security risk.
Amarillas enlisted in the Marines after high school and had no prior public record of misconduct highlighted in initial reports. He faces multiple charges, including theft and embezzlement of U.S. military property, with potential additional counts related to the unauthorized transport and sale of the items.
A federal judge is weighing detention pending trial, with prosecutors arguing the scale of the alleged theft and the dangerous nature of the missing materiel justify holding him. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not ruled out additional suspects.
The Marine Corps and Department of Justice declined immediate comment beyond confirming the charges, citing the ongoing prosecution. Camp Pendleton officials have not yet released statements on any internal reviews of ammunition accountability procedures.
This incident comes amid broader scrutiny of military supply chain security and insider threats at U.S. bases. Further details are expected to emerge as the case proceeds through the federal court system in Arizona.
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