Former Schofield Barracks Army Capt. David S. Gilliam, 39, drew a 50-month federal prison sentence yesterday for stealing government property while serving in Afghanistan in 2004-2005.

Senior U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor also ordered Gilliam to repay $450,566 to the government.

Gilliam was convicted of theft of government property, money laundering and tax perjury.

Hawai'i U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni said Gilliam admitted to stealing some $400,000 while assigned as a disbursing officer at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan.

According to court records, Gilliam smuggled stolen cash back to Hawai'i in a duffle bag, converting some of the funds to a $254,000 cashier's check.

He later took the stolen money with him when he moved to South Carolina and failed to report receipt of the money on his tax returns, according to Nakakuni's office.