Marine Corps Ammunition Specialist Indicted for Alleged Theft and Sale of Javelin Missile System

Cpl. Andrew Paul Amarillas, a 23-year-old Marine ammunition technician, faces federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a multi-year scheme to steal high-grade military equipment from Camp Pendleton. Prosecutors claim that between February 2022 and early 2025, Amarillas utilized his access as an ammunition specialist to siphon off a Javelin anti-tank missile system and various quantities of 5.56mm ammunition. The indictment alleges that the Marine transported these items to Arizona, where he sold the stolen ordnance to two unindicted co-conspirators who subsequently marketed the hardware to others.

The investigation into the theft spanned several years, culminating in the arrest of Amarillas on March 5 while he was stationed at Quantico, Virginia, in preparation for a diplomatic security assignment at the U.S. embassy in Myanmar. Court records indicate that the accused entered a plea of not guilty during his initial appearance. This case highlights significant security vulnerabilities regarding the management and inventory control of sensitive anti-tank weaponry within the military supply chain. Federal authorities continue to examine the extent of the trafficking operation and the security lapses that allowed such advanced tactical equipment to be removed from a secure base environment.