U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Nevada
September 28, 2026
RENO – A former U.S. Department of the Army employee and Sparks, Nevada, resident pleaded guilty today to using his Army credit card to make nearly $2,800 of purchases for his personal vehicle.
“Government charge cards are strictly distributed to facilitate official operations, not to serve as personal expense accounts,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Public servants and government contractors are held to rigorous ethical and legal standards. Our office will continue working alongside our inspector general partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals who abuse their access to public resources for personal gain.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, remains firmly committed to safeguarding programs and equipment funded by the American taxpayer,” said Special Agent-in-Charge John E. Helsing of the DCIS Western Field Office. “This investigation underscores our determination to hold accountable anyone who misuses government resources and to protect the integrity of the Department’s operations. DCIS will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to identify, investigate, and dismantle schemes designed to personally profit from public funds.”
“The Department of the Army Criminal Investigative Division remains committed to protecting the integrity of the United States Army,” said Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Fraud Field Office. “Today’s outcome reflects the unwavering commitment of Army CID and our investigative partners to pursue those who attempt to defraud the US Army and exploit their position of trust which can adversely impact the Army’s warfighting capabilities.”
“Federal officials who use public funds for personal financial gain will be held accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Gregg of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Western Investigations Division. “GSA OIG special agents will continue working with our law enforcement partners to fight fraud and safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
According to court documents, from September 21, 20220, to August 11, 2021, Tamilo Pale Fe’a, also known as “T,” made about 69 transactions with an Army fuel fleet credit card for his personal benefit at various gas stations in Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and California. Fe’a has also agreed to pay more than $80,000 in restitution to the government for the military equipment the indictment alleged that he stole.
Fe’a pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison at sentencing on January 4, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Anne R. Traum. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division; and General Services Administration—Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez is prosecuting the case.
Source: Source: Department of Justice press release
