Joint investigation leads to the arrest of four people for stolen military equipment

The New York State Police announced the arrest of the following individuals in connection with a month-long investigation led by the NYSP’s Community Stabilization Unit into the theft and resale of government-owned military equipment.

James E. Waleski (50) of 4613 Odell Place Jamesville, NY

Jennifer Waleski (40) of 4613 Odell Place Jamesville, NY

Gordon D. Reynolds (44) of 230 Seneca Street Chittenango, NY

Joriann Garcia-Hernandez (38) of 143 Air City Blvd Rome, NY

In June, state police were contacted by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division and informed that James Waleski had opened a suspicious Facebook Marketplace account., a civilian from the Ministry of Defense who served in the 174^th Air National Guard Attack Wing in Syracuse, NY. They also said that Waleski offered for sale military equipment that was not available to the general public. Search warrants were executed on Waleski’s home, phone, and computer, resulting in the seizure of tens of thousands of dollars worth of military equipment belonging to the 174th, 272nd, and 30th Infantry Regiments.^and Army Military Police Detachment in Auburn, NY and Army National Guard 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Syracuse, NY.

Further investigation revealed that Waleski had stolen military equipment, some of it of a sensitive nature, and sold the items online and in person. New York State Police seized thousands of dollars worth of military equipment in Texas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, and locally in Taberg and Flushing, NY. In one case, investigators recovered a bulletproof vest that was shipped to Russia.

During a search of the Waleskis’ residence, an illegal assault rifle was seized that he had not acquired through his employment as a federal employee.

During the course of this investigation, it became known that Reynolds, a military police officer assigned to the 272^and Military Police Department in Auburn, NY, and Garcia-Hernandez, a supply specialist with Company D 152^and Brigade Engineer Battalion in Syracuse, were also found guilty of theft and therefore charged accordingly.

This investigation was led by the State Police Community Stabilization Unit, with assistance from the State Police Violent Gangs & Narcotics Enforcement Team, State Police Counter Terrorism & Intelligence Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation – Syracuse Office, Madison County District Attorney’s Office, Army Criminal Investigations Division, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 174th Airlift Wing Command.^ththe 272^andand the 27th^thThe investigation was conducted by and closely coordinated with the office of Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation or who purchased military equipment from James Waleski is asked to call Investigator Carl Schneider at State Police Headquarters (315) 366-6000.

* refers to charges filed in the village of Chittenango, Madison County