Captain stole equipment at Georgia Army base and sold it online, prosecutors say

Mark Price, Miami Herald on Aug 27, 2025

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A 32-year-old US Army officer could serve 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to duping unsuspecting people into buying “valuable” military equipment stolen from Fort Stewart, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Georgia’s Southern District.

Capt. Jacob Suenkel was charged with theft and sale of government property, prosecutors said in an Aug. 25 news release. He lives in Richmond Hill, about a 25-mile drive northeast of Fort Stewart.

Investigators did not reveal how many “unsuspecting buyers” fell prey to the scam, but Suenkel will be ordered to pay restitution to his victims, prosecutors said.

“The stolen equipment included costly items such as skid-steer loaders, UTVs, trailers, generators, welders, commercial grade hand tools, and a tractor,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported. “After stealing these items, Suenkel would then market them for sale on social media and sell them to unsuspecting buyers.”

Weaponry was not included in the lengthy list of stolen items.

Suenkel accepted a plea agreement, acknowledging “the total amount of financial loss caused by his actions exceeded $150,000,” prosecutors said. He made an “initial payment of $50,000” toward fines that could mount to $250,000 and “agreed to be discharged from the Army with an adverse characterization of service,” officials said.

Suenkel also forfeits all veterans’ benefits, prosecutors said.

“Stealing from the Army isn’t simply about lost property; it’s a matter of national security and good stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” according to Ryan O’Connor, special agent in charge of the Southeast Field Office in the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

“Suenkel betrayed not only the U.S. Army, but also the trust placed in him by the American people.”

The thefts began in late 2024 and continued through May, prosecutors said.

Investigators did not reveal how the scam was uncovered, but all the missing equipment has been recovered by the Army, officials said.

The Richmond Hill Police Department investigated the case along with the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The date of Suenkel’s sentencing was not released.

Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield is home to the 3rd Infantry Division and is about a 40-mile drive southwest from Savannah, Georgia.

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