WACO (February 3, 2012)--Two men appeared in federal magistrate's court Thursday in Waco to answer charges stemming from the theft of sensitive military property, which authorities say was offered for sale on the Internet.
Joel Robert Stone and Michael Bartch, Sr., were both released on $25,000 unsecured bonds after appearing before Federal Magistrate Jeffrey C. Manske.
Court documents indicate the men received and concealed U.S. military property valued at more than $1,000, which they knew to be stolen.
The documents say the men exported at least three advanced targeting lasers from the United States into Canada.
The equipment is included on the Department of Defense munitions list.
The documents further state the equipment was offered for sale using Internet-based PayPal accounts.
The men face three counts each.
If they’re convicted they could receive federal prison sentences of as much as to 20 years and could be fined as much as $1 million.
