A Virginia man who stole one of President Obama’s teleprompter, and other equipment, was sentenced to seven years in prison, last Thursday (April 11). Eric Brown cut a deal to serve more time behind bars in order to skip further prosecution for similar crimes.
In January, Brown pleaded guilty to theft of government property for the 2011 incident in which he jacked $200,000 worth of equipment. The electronics were stored in a van, during an event at a fire station in his home state.
Aside from Obama’s teleprompter, he got away with a laptop, amplifiers, microphones, flags, and label pens.
“The theft of government property is a serious offense,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Roderick Young during court proceedings. “It’s all the more serious when the property belongs to the White House Communications Agency.”
U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney showed no mercy towards Brown, disagreeing with Young who noted that the sentence was a little harsh. “No it’s not,” Gibney remarked.
Police apprehended Brown after cell phone records placed him at the scene of the crime.
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Photo: AP
