Military Veterans Linked To Stolen Arms

The Sergeant's Betrayal: How a Ranger's Heist Uncovered a Neo-Nazi Arsenal

A violent hammer attack on a US Army installation, a dropped hat, and a two-year crime spree have exposed a disturbing link between military veterans, stolen weaponry, and extremist ideology. The arrests of two former soldiers in Washington have revealed a suburban home converted into a neo-Nazi stronghold, packed with an arsenal of military-grade weapons and white supremacist paraphernalia, raising urgent questions about security on armed forces installations and extremism within the veteran community.

A Brazen Heist Unravels

On a Sunday evening, two men breached the security of one of America's most important military posts. Charles Ethan Fields, 26, and Levi Austin Frakes, 27, disguised themselves in Army Ranger fitness attire and wore masks. They gained entry to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), a huge complex located fifty miles from Seattle, because of their veteran status. Driving onto the base, they proceeded to a compound for the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. There, authorities say, they defeated a lock with bolt cutters to enter a secure building, with the goal of pilfering sophisticated combat equipment valued at thousands of dollars. The heist was the peak of a long-running operation.

Violent Confrontation in the Dark

The robbery was in progress when a soldier from the regiment happened upon the scene unexpectedly. He found the two intruders standing amidst heaps of valuable military supplies, including ballistic helmets, advanced communications gear, and rifle plates. The soldier began asking the masked men to identify themselves. The situation became violent when one of the individuals, allegedly Fields, used a heavy tool to assault the soldier, hitting him multiple times on his upper body and head. Despite a significant head injury, he managed to take the heavy tool from his attacker's grasp, but the other individual then produced a blade, compelling him to retreat.

The Telltale Clue Left Behind

In their scramble to get away, the attackers abandoned a crucial piece of evidence. They left a pack stained with blood which contained the combat gear they tried to take. More importantly, an individual from the pair lost a hat. Inscribed within the headwear was the surname "Fields," a simple but devastating mistake. This single error would quickly unravel their entire enterprise. The injured soldier, despite his wounds, recalled the name. This clue provided investigators from the Army's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with the lead they needed to pursue. The inquiry quickly focused on former military personnel.

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The Investigation Swiftly Unfolds

Using the surname "Fields" as their starting point, agents from the Army CID began their work at once. They checked the name against installation entry records and video from the gate. Records showed a man named Charles Ethan Fields entered the installation that evening, along with Levi Austin Frakes. The injured soldier also started his own enquiries in his unit. He soon found out a former Ranger with that surname had been part of that same battalion around 2021. When presented with a photograph, the soldier confirmed that Fields was an individual responsible for the violent assault, providing a solid identification.

A Multi-Agency Raid on a Suburban Home

With the suspects identified, a major law enforcement operation started. The Army CID requested help from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office, and an FBI SWAT team was assigned to execute a search warrant on the suspects' address. On Monday, only a day after the violent robbery, armed federal agents executed a warrant at a residence on Puget Meadow Loop Northeast in the quiet suburb of Lacey, Washington. The dwelling was situated fewer than ten miles away from the army installation they had targeted. Both Fields and Frakes were at the residence and were taken into custody without incident.

A Suburban Home Turned Arsenal

What officers found inside the Lacey residence was shocking even to veteran investigators. The house was not merely a home but a heavily armed fortress. Agents seized over 35 firearms, which included illegally modified short-barrelled rifles, handguns, and a German MG42 machine gun from the Second World War era. The collection also held grenade launchers, blasting caps, and restricted Army-issued items like flash-bangs and smoke grenades. Several rifles were positioned strategically at various window points in the house, as if for a siege. Investigators also found ballistic helmets, body armour, and night-vision equipment.

A Shrine to White Supremacist Hate

The ideological reason for the arsenal became frighteningly clear as agents went through the house. Every bedroom was decorated with paraphernalia related to Nazism and white power ideologies. Investigators noted finding murals, books, and other items celebrating extremist hate. Photos provided by the Thurston County Sheriff showed large Nazi flags with swastikas. The black flag of the SS, the brutal paramilitary force of the Nazi party, was also displayed on walls. A picture of Adolf Hitler inside a frame and an eagle statue with a swastika were also seized, showing a home steeped in violent, racist beliefs.

Profile of a Betrayer: Charles Ethan Fields

The discovery of a neo-Nazi arsenal was more troubling due to the background of the main suspect. Charles Ethan Fields was not a fringe figure; he came from an elite unit within the US military. An Army spokesperson verified that Fields's time in the service was as an infantryman from February 2017 to July 2021, concluding his military career with the title of sergeant. His service record included two separate tours in Afghanistan, from September 2018 to February 2019 and again from October to November 2019. Most importantly, his last posting was with the 75th Ranger Regiment at JBLM, the very unit he now stands accused of stealing from.

The Second Man: Levi Austin Frakes

Fewer public details exist about the military history of Levi Austin Frakes. The federal criminal filing named both men as veterans. A social media page indicated Frakes may have completed service with the US Marine Corps for four years. A Marine Corps spokesperson acknowledged that a veteran with that name exists but could not immediately give his service record. The inquiry has shown a clear partnership between Frakes and Fields in their alleged criminal activity and their shared extremist beliefs. Their joint Lacey residence was their base of operations and the storage location for their weapons and Nazi items.

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Sovereign Solutions: A Business of Hate

Beyond their alleged thefts, Fields and Frakes operated a Washington-based enterprise named Sovereign Solutions. State documents show the business was registered to both men. Its website, now offline, promoted "Quality Training and Equipment for the Modern Warfighter," and offered marksmanship classes. The firm's emblem allegedly featured imagery linked to Nazi ideology, specifically an "SS" design with letters separated by a lightning bolt, mirroring the insignia of the Nazi Schutzstaffel. Chillingly, the company also sold a T-shirt with its emblem and the phrase "Professional War Crime Committer," mocking international law.

A Two-Year Crime Spree Revealed

The violent clash on Sunday was not a one-time event. During questioning by special agents from the Army after his arrest, an individual from the pair made a surprising admission. He confessed that he and his partner had been systematically taking military property from the Ranger compound at the base for about two years. Their main reason, based on his statement, was monetary. They would sell or exchange the valuable equipment they took from the installation. This confession was supported by the discovery of around $24,000 in currency during the raid, along with stolen gear and weapons.

Federal and State Charges Mount

Following the raid, both men face a number of serious charges. Federal prosecutors for Washington's Western District have brought accusations of violent attack, pilfering, and stealing government assets against Fields and Frakes. The charges specify the acts were done with coercion, physical force, and threatening behaviour. At the state level, they are being investigated for multiple counts of unlawful ownership of short-barrelled rifles, unlawful ownership of an automatic firearm, and possession of incendiary items. A Thurston County judge set bail at $500,000 for each, calling them a major danger and flight risk.

The Question of Base Security

The fact that two people could steal from an elite special operations compound for two years brings up serious questions about security protocols at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord facility. The suspects, being veterans, reportedly had permission to access the main parts of the installation. However, to get into the restricted Ranger area, they apparently utilized a cutting tool to breach a lock. The long-running nature of the thefts suggests a significant lapse in accounting for sensitive and costly military equipment, which should be regularly inventoried. This case shows a continuous problem for America's military in protecting its large stockpiles.

Extremism in the Veteran Community

This case has again put a spotlight on the troubling problem of extremism in the US military and its veteran community. While research indicates veterans overall are not more likely to be extremists than the general population, hate groups actively recruit them. Veterans' training in combat, tactics, and leadership makes them prized assets for these groups. The Department of Defense has recognized the problem and started programs to oppose extremism in the ranks. But cases like this show the ongoing threat from the mix of military experience and violent, hateful ideas.

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The Heroism of an Unnamed Soldier

Amid the disturbing facts of the case, the courage of the service member that faced the intruders stands out. His readiness to question two suspicious people, even though he was outnumbered, led directly to their capture. Despite being attacked viciously with a heavy tool and confronted with a knife, he survived and provided the crucial information—the surname "Fields"—that solved the case. The soldier needed hospital care for his major injuries, but his actions were key in stopping a dangerous criminal operation and removing illegal weapons and two violent extremists from the community.

A Community Left in Shock

The arrests and the finding of a neo-Nazi arsenal in a peaceful suburban area have sent shockwaves through the local community. Lacey, Washington, is a city with strong military connections, situated only a few miles away from a major national base. The idea that two of its residents, both veterans, were allegedly holding an arsenal and following a violent, hateful ideology is deeply disturbing for many. Derek Sanders, the Thurston County Sheriff, described the suspects as being "actively involved in Nazi White Nationalist efforts" and representing an "extreme danger to the community."

Sovereign Solutions' Dubious Clientele

The business front run by Fields and Frakes, Sovereign Solutions, made bold claims on its social media. The company's LinkedIn page, now gone, claimed several distinguished armed forces groups were its customers. These included the 75th Ranger Regiment, US Army Special Forces, the 1st Marine Division, and the US Coast Guard. A Coast Guard spokesperson firmly denied that the service had ever been a customer or had a contract with the company. The claims seem to be a lie meant to give false credibility to a company whose brand was apparently rooted in neo-Nazism.

The Legal Path Forward

With Fields and Frakes held in custody, the legal process has started. They have been given public defenders, and a Thurston County Superior Court judge found probable cause for the state-level charges, resulting in high bail. The federal case, which is docketed in Washington's Western District, will move forward at the same time. Given the large amount of evidence taken from the home—including illegal weapons, explosives, and military-issued items—and the confession of a two-year theft pattern, prosecutors have a very strong case. The chance of more federal charges is high.

A Dangerous Convergence

The situation involving Charles Fields and Levi Frakes shows a dangerous mix of multiple threats. It includes the theft of military equipment by people with inside knowledge, a violent attack on a military member, and a strong belief in a violent, white supremacist ideology. The suburban home within Lacey was more than just a place to store stolen items; it was an ideological fortress and a private arsenal. The incident is a clear reminder of the difficulties law enforcement and the military have in stopping both the theft of their equipment and the radicalization of their personnel. The investigation's result will be watched closely.