Two Lacey, Washington, men now indicted for two-year scheme to steal and sell military gear from JBLM

Tacoma - Two Lacey, Washington, men - both former members of the military - were indicted by the grand jury this week for conspiracy, four counts of theft of government property, assault, robbery, and attempted theft of government property, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Charles Ethan Fields, 27, and Levi Austin Frakes, 27, have been in custody since their arrest on June 2, 2025. The men will be arraigned on the charges on December 22, 2025.

According to the indictment, by at least early 2023, the men conspired to steal military equipment from Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). The men took the equipment from JBLM - including helmets, clothing, communications equipment, and ballistic vests -to the home they shared in Lacey. They photographed the items and offered them for sale on online marketplaces in accounts under false names.

The indictment alleges seven different time periods when Fields and Frakes entered JBLM and stole items from the Ranger compound. In January 2023 they stole from lockers in the Alpha Company Operations Facility. In February 2023, they stole from lockers of the Charlie Company Operations Facility. In May 2023, they stole from the Delta Company Operations Facility. In January 2024, they again stole from the Charlie Company Operation Facility lockers. In June 2024, they stole from the Alpha Company a second time, and in January 2025 they raided the Alpha Company lockers a third time.

On June 1, 2025, the men were attempting to steal from the Charlie Company Operations Facility in the Ranger compound when a member of the Army discovered them. Fields and Frakes were masked and when questioned, the men started fighting with the Army member and beat him on the head and torso with a hammer. The victim was able to gain control of the hammer, only to have one of the men pull a knife and brandish it at him. The men - later identified as Fields and Frakes - ran from the Ranger compound and dropped the items they were trying to steal.

Investigators collected evidence at the scene of the attempted theft and assault and determined the men were trying to steal about $14,000 in government property on that occasion.

The men were traced to an address in Lacey and law enforcement obtained a warrant to search the residence the next day. Inside they found weapons and military property, including night vision devices, ballistic plates and plate carriers, and helmets; military munitions; and military explosives such as blasting caps, flashbangs, and smoke grenades. Some of the items are restricted and not allowed to be owned or stored in a private residence. Officers also recovered $24,000 in cash.

Assault and theft of government property are each punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Robbery is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Marci L. Ellsworth.