A man who stole tools, bayonets and a televison set from Red River Army Depot near Texarkana was sentenced to two years federal probation Monday.
James Devin-Jaray Cheatham pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor theft of government property charge in June at a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas. He appeared Monday for sentencing with attorney John Crisp of Texarkana.
According to a factual basis filed in the case at the time of Cheatham’s guilty plea in June, Cheatham was stopped at RRAD’s main gate when he was leaving at the end of his shift as a material examiner/identifier and forklift operator July 8, 2016. RRAD security staff discovered a number of items in Cheatham’s vehicle which belong to the government, including two wrench socket sets, six bayonets, an impact wrench, two electric drills, several utility lights, ratchet straps and a stapler, according to the factual basis.
When interviewed by RRAD investigators, Cheatham admitted to having stolen other property on earlier dates including two compact wrench guns, several knives, an electric hand drill and drill bits, monkey wrenches and extension cords. Investigators determined Cheatham had also stolen a television from RRAD.
Cheatham was ordered to pay $250 in restitution and to serve two years under federal supervision by Craven at Monday’s hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross prosecuted the case for the government. Also present at the hearing was attorney Ivor Jorgenson of RRAD’s legal office.
