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ST. CROIX — U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced Wednesday that Gregory Camacho, National Park Service Superintendent on St. Croix was arrested today and is facing approximately 40 years in federal prison on 36 counts of fraud and theft upon the federal government.
Camacho appeared before Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon, Jr. for an initial appearance and arraignment after his arrest by special agents of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Camacho was charged with:
- Counts 1–15: Conversion of Government Property, 18 U.S.C. § 641;
- Count 16: Acts Affecting a Personal Financial Interest, 18 U.S.C. § 208;
- Count 17: Wire Fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1343;
- Count 18: False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Claims, 18 U.S.C. § 287;
- Count 19: Theft of Government Money, 18 U.S.C. § 641;
- Count 20-26: Wire Fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1343;
- Count 27-33: False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Claims, 18 U.S.C. § 287; and
- Count 34-36: Theft of Government Money, 18 U.S.C. § 641.
According to court documents, Camacho failed to pay the required rent at National Park Service government housing from June 2019 – August 2020, directed a subordinate to change the housing classification to lessen the rent that was required from him in June 2020, submitted a change of duty station voucher that falsely reflected he was relocating various family members to St. Croix in August 2019, and submitted overlapping travel vouchers claiming meals and incidental expenses for two locations simultaneously from October 2018 – November 2019.
The total loss amount alleged is over $46,000.00.
The case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston.
Camacho faces up to the following maximum penalties if convicted:
- Conversion/Theft of Government Property – a maximum of 10 years, fine up to $250,000 per count
- Acts Affecting a Personal Financial Interest – a maximum of 5 years, fine up to $250,000;
- Wire Fraud– a maximum of 20 years, fine up to $250,000
- False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Claims - a maximum of 5 years, fine up to $250,000.
Each count carries up to three years of supervised release upon release from custody and restitution.
United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert reminds the public that an Indictment is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty
