Marine ARRESTED – Stealing LIVE Missiles!

A U.S. Marine with authorized access to one of America’s largest military installations allegedly stole a fully operational Javelin missile system and tens of thousands of rounds of military-grade ammunition, then sold them through a criminal network spanning multiple states over nearly four years.

Story Snapshot

Corporal Andrew Paul Amarillas allegedly stole a Javelin antitank missile system and approximately 25,000 rounds of ammunition from Camp Pendleton between February 2022 and November 2025
The stolen Javelin was not demilitarized, making it a fully operational weapon system capable of destroying tanks and helicopters
Amarillas worked as an ammunition technical specialist, giving him authorized access to restricted military weapons and storage areas
Federal authorities recovered only about one-third of the stolen ammunition and are still determining the full extent of missing materials
A federal judge ordered Amarillas held without bail, citing flight risk and potential witness tampering concerns

The Insider Advantage That Made It Possible

Amarillas served as an ammunition technical specialist at the School of Infantry West at Camp Pendleton, a position that granted him legitimate access to some of the military’s most restricted weapons systems. His role managing ammunition inventories and restricted materials provided both opportunity and cover for a theft operation that prosecutors allege lasted three and a half years. The sustained duration of the conspiracy raises questions about inventory control procedures at one of the Marine Corps’ premier training installations, where thousands of service members cycle through weapons qualification courses annually.

What Makes a Javelin So Dangerous

The Javelin missile system represents cutting-edge military technology manufactured exclusively by Lockheed Martin and RTX Corp for U.S. armed forces. These portable weapons destroy tanks, low-flying helicopters, and fortified positions with precision guidance systems. Federal law prohibits civilian possession of Javelin systems unless they’ve been demilitarized, rendering them inoperable. The recovered Javelin in this case retained full operational capability, making it an extraordinary threat in unauthorized hands. Prosecutors described the stolen equipment as strictly controlled and dangerous, posing direct threats to civilians and law enforcement.

The Arizona Connection and Criminal Network

The conspiracy extended beyond Camp Pendleton’s gates into Arizona, where Amarillas allegedly transported stolen weapons and ammunition to co-conspirators who resold them to others. Federal court documents reveal that in one transaction alone, approximately 25,000 rounds were offered for sale. Undercover officers infiltrated the network, purchasing ammunition directly from co-conspirators while building evidence for prosecution. The multi-state operation involved sophisticated distribution channels, suggesting organized criminal activity rather than opportunistic theft. Authorities have not publicly identified the co-conspirators or disclosed whether additional charges are pending against network members.

Recovery Efforts Fall Short of Complete

Despite recovering the Javelin missile system, federal investigators acknowledge significant gaps in the recovery of stolen materials. Only approximately one-third of 66 cans of M855 rifle ammunition, roughly 8,250 rounds, has been accounted for through seizures and undercover purchases. The remaining two-thirds, approximately 16,500 rounds of military-grade ammunition, remains unaccounted for at the time of Amarillas’s arraignment. Authorities continue investigating the full scope of thefts, leaving open the possibility that additional weapons or ammunition beyond the documented Javelin and 25,000 rounds may have been stolen. This incomplete recovery raises urgent questions about where these military weapons ended up and who possesses them now.

National Security Implications and Base Vulnerabilities

The case exposes vulnerabilities in military supply chain security that extend beyond Camp Pendleton. When personnel with authorized access betray that trust, traditional security measures prove insufficient. The three-year duration before detection suggests inadequate inventory auditing procedures and monitoring systems. These are not black market knock-offs or civilian weapons painted to look military. These are weapons systems designed for battlefield use against armored vehicles and aircraft, now potentially in circulation among criminal networks. The implications for law enforcement and civilian safety are profound, particularly given that authorities cannot account for all stolen materials.

Legal Proceedings and Custody Decision

Amarillas pleaded not guilty to all charges during his March 27, 2026 arraignment in Phoenix federal courthouse. The federal judge rejected his release, determining he poses both a flight risk and a potential threat to witnesses and evidence at Camp Pendleton. His detention pending trial reflects the severity of charges involving theft and interstate transportation of military weapons. Prosecutors outlined the conspiracy’s objectives in court filings: stealing military property and ammunition to sell for profit. The case will likely establish precedent for prosecuting insider threats within military installations and may influence future security protocols across all branches of the armed services.