Former Federal Law Enforcement Agent Pleads Guilty to Theft of Agency's Ammunition

A former special agent with the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) pleaded guilty today to theft of government property for stealing thousands of rounds of law enforcement ammunition, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge Elton Malone of HHS-OIG’s Special Investigations Branch.

Josef A. Riekers, 44, of Rockwall, Texas, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis of the Northern District of Texas, who set a sentencing hearing for April 8, 2015.

According to admissions in his plea agreement, Riekers, who had served as a federal law enforcement agent for over 15 years, stole ammunition from the armory at HHS-OIG’s Dallas regional office.  Riekers then traded the stolen ammunition on Internet forums for other, non-government-issued ammunition that he used for his own personal benefit.

This case was investigated by HHS-OIG’s Special Investigations Branch, with assistance from the Dallas Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Kevin Driscoll and Justin Weitz of the Public Integrity Section.