Antonin Dehays during a PBS NewsHour story on teachers and students retracing the lives of those who died at Normandy.
Antonin DeHays, age 32, of College Park, Maryland, a historian, was charged by federal criminal complaint on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, with theft of government records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
The complaint was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning and Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Jason Metrick of the National Archives and Records Administration – Office of Inspector General.
Archivist of the United States David Ferriero stated, “The theft of our history should anger any citizen, but as a veteran I am shocked at allegations that a historian would show such disregard for records and artifacts documenting those captured or killed in World War II. Although we have increased our security measures in recent years, this case highlights the constant threat our records and artifacts face and why the security of the holdings of the National Archives is my highest priority.”
On June 9, 2017, investigators executed a federal search warrant at DeHays’s residence and seized six dog tags and other documents that had been stolen from National Archives at College Park.
If convicted, DeHays faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. An initial appearance was held for DeHays in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt on June 13, 2017.
A complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
NARA Inspector General James Springs thanked all of the federal employees involved in this investigation, stating “Thefts from the Archives are thefts of history. We will work tirelessly to find those who would try to steal any record from the American people.”
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended NARA – Office of Inspector General for their work in the investigation. Mr. Schenning also thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Nicolas A. Mitchell and Arun G. Rao, who are prosecuting the case.
Antonin Dehays during a PBS NewsHour story on teachers and students retracing the lives of those who died at Normandy.
