Six Marines based at Kane'ohe Bay could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison if convicted in federal court of selling stolen night vision equipment on the open market.

Charged with conspiracy to smuggle goods out of the United States are Charles Carper, 22; Ryan Mathers, 20; Ronald Abram, 20; Mark Vaught, 23; Brendon Schultz, 24, and Jason Flegm, 22.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents investigated the case for prosecution. The investigation began in July when agents received information that Carper, a lance corporal, was selling PVS-14 Generation 3 night vision devices on the eBay Internet auction website, possibly overseas, in violation of international traffic in arms regulations.

The highly sophisticated Generation 3 scopes allow soldiers to see long distances in low-light condition.

Agents purchased merchandise from Carper in September through eBay and learned that additional scopes were being sold on eBay by Mathers.

Mathers allegedly agreed to sell undercover agents eight PVS-14s, valued at $3,000 each, for $20,000.

On Tuesday, ICE agents assisted by Defense Investigative Service, Navy Criminal Investigative Service and U.S. Marshals Service personnel raided Mathers apartment in Waipahu and seized eight PVS Generation 3 devices stolen from the Navy and well as seven earlier models.

A warrant search raid was also conducted at Carper's residence.

The six Marines made their initial appearance yesterday before a federal magistrate. In addition to federal charges, the Marines are all subject to discipline from the military.

"I am shocked that members of our American armed forces would even consider selling such sensitive military equipment to others outside our country," U.S. Attorney for Hawai'i Edward Kubo said.

"If they were successful," Kubo continued, "this hi-tech equipment might be used by our enemies against fellow U.S. Marines. These are serious allegations which demand swift, immediate and strong reaction from the Justice Department, and there also needs to be a strong review of inventory accountability for such sensitive equipment by our military."