United States v. James Williams

HILL, Circuit Judge:

James Williams appeals a jury conviction for stealing four pairs of Marine Corps combat boots. 18 U.S.C. § 641. 1 He was sentenced to twelve months in prison, six months being suspended, with five years probation.

Williams was a civilian employee in the Material Division at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia. Among his duties, Williams unlocked and opened warehouse 1240, which contained military clothing including combat boots. For approximately thirty minutes, until the other employees arrived, Williams was the only individual in charge of security at the…