"Man arrested for impersonating a Soldier on Veterans day"

RallyPoint Shared Content — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:31:10 -0500

From: Popular Military

Police in New Jersey busted 25-year-old Michael Porter for impersonating military personnel on Veteran’s Day.

Authorities are calling it a case of stolen valor. Porter allegedly claimed he was a member of the Army military police and was dressed in a uniform outside a base in South Jersey.

The officer who made the arrest, Gary Brenner, who is himself a former Marine, said he recognized Porter from another incident and knew he had not served in the military.

When speaking to NBC Philadelphia, Brenner said: ‘We believe he could possibly have been out trying to get some benefit from the uniform. He continued to say’I take a lot of offence to it. There’s men and women, serving today, the veterans – and they’re being recognized for making a sacrifice, and this man didn’t.’

The uniform had his name on it along with “Airborne” patches, according to Patch.com. Officials say the Galloway man also had a police scanner and handcuffs in his possession.

Authorities say the portable radio was capable of receiving transmissions from several police departments and emergency dispatch centers in the area.

When officer Brenner asked whether Porter had any excuse for what he was doing, he said: “No, no excuse. He feels he was right in what he was doing.”

He told 6abc: “It was the same exact uniform that active military reserve would be wearing. He stated that he bought the uniform from Fort Dix along with all of his badges.”

Porter was arrested and charged with impersonating military personnel/stolen valor. He’s being held at the Atlantic County Jail. A judge set bail at $5,000.

http://popularmilitary.com/man-arrested-impersonating-soldier-veterans-day/

Man arrested for impersonating a Soldier on Veterans day

Police in New Jersey busted 25-year-old Michael Porter for impersonating military personnel on Veteran's Day.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2015 4:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:35:17 -0500

And on the day that Jersey put into effect the penalties for that, too.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2015 4:56 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:56:10 -0500

http://popularmilitary.com/vietnam-veteran-humiliated-and-assaulted-by-active-duty-marines/

These A-Holes (Active Duty) who assaulted this man should be embarassed and court-martialed and forced to shine the Vets shoes or clean his toilets... pos(s).

Vietnam veteran humiliated and assaulted by active-duty Marines at Charlotte airport

66-year-old Jack Hughes was returning home from a Veterans Day event in St Louis, when he was assaulted by a group of Marines

Response by LCpl John Filiatrault made Nov 20 at 2015 5:41 PM

LCpl John Filiatrault — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 17:41:39 -0500

This is getting ridiculous!! I busted my ASS to earn my title of US Marine! And now people think they can just go purchase it and "pretend" they are. I "earned" my right to wear my uniforms. Let's see them do it!

Response by PO3 David Miller made Nov 20 at 2015 6:49 PM

PO3 David Miller — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 18:49:30 -0500

I can't stand people like this. I will hunt people like this down, and make sure they look completely foolish after the fact.

Response by CW2 Carl Swanson made Nov 21 at 2015 4:37 PM

CW2 Carl Swanson — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 16:37:45 -0500

Needs to be on national news, only so the fakers can see there is a penalty to their lying.

Response by SGT Robert Deem made Nov 21 at 2015 7:45 PM

SGT Robert Deem — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 19:45:46 -0500

Unfortunately, this case is unlikely to get any traction. The Supreme Court made it pretty clear that a person cannot be prosecuted for simply hanging around in a military uniform. For the charge to stick, they will have to prove that he intended to benefit from his perceived military service in some material way. As disgusting as the behavior is, you can't go to jail for playing dress-up.

What surprises me is that it doesn't appear that he is being charged with impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer. As far as I know, that is a crime in all 50 states, regardless of intent. Are Army MPs not sworn officers? Or is it because he denied being LEO when confronted by the civilian officer? Carrying cuffs and a scanner would appear to be an attempt to violate the law regardless of verbal demonstration. Is the prosecutor missing something, or am I?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2015 6:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 18:27:09 -0500

I hate people like that...now I 'm wondering and I pray someone can enlighten me on this, even though I have been honorably discharged, am I even ALLOWED to wear my old bdu's and / or army green suit with it's ribbons????? thanks.

Response by CWO4 Eddward Jones made Nov 25 at 2015 6:49 PM

CWO4 Eddward Jones — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 18:49:52 -0500

My wife and I attended a Veterans Day event at my grandsons school and came across this piece of work. He told me he was UDT TEAM 5 in 1973 stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. In 1973 there was UDT 21 and 22, team 5 was not commissioned until 1983. The first thing that caught our eye was the fact he was in whites with Lt shoulder boards wearing black shoes and silver belt buckle. Ribbons are too high, which by the way included a Navy Cross, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. His name is Joseph C Lowe and lives in Indianapolis, IN. After I called him out he wasted no time leaving. This just pisses me off to no end. I reported him to Don Shipley and Stolen Valor.

Response by SPC Julio Delvalle made Nov 25 at 2015 8:58 PM

SPC Julio Delvalle — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 20:58:59 -0500

I think they should ship that has to Iraq or Afghanistan and lettering really feel what it's like to be a soldier

Response by SFC Stephen Pointer made Nov 25 at 2015 9:50 PM

SFC Stephen Pointer — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 21:50:39 -0500

Well, I'may just going to promote myself to Audie Murphy and tell stories about my heroic deeds in good old WWII. The war ended 17 years before I was born, so I'm basically a veteran, right?

Response by SGT Dan Lawrence made Nov 26 at 2015 2:31 AM

SGT Dan Lawrence — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 02:31:59 -0500

It's such bullshit and cowardly for people to do this kind of stuff. They never did the time. Long hours little sleep rucking it. Seeing things no body should ever have to see, and then claiming to be a soldier and try to get thanks for your service. What's up with that crap. Do they not realize that 9 out of 10 military members don't want to be thanked. We did it cause we love what we do the brotherhood to serve this once great country and protect the freedom. That we just want the respect that we earned. To show hope to keep this country free. I'm so tired of these fakes and glad they got arrested. It needs to happen more.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2015 2:43 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 02:43:05 -0500

When did this become such a problem? This day in age there is no stigma about joining (as in the days of my father during Vietnam). You want to wear the uniform....Drag your sorry ass to the recruiter and join.....! Every time I see a "Stolen Valor" story it makes me absolutely sick to my stomach. I earned my right to proudly wear my uniform, yet I don't because I have to much respect for it and what it stands for to try and cram my fat ass into it 20 years later and disrespect it. So it hangs neat, pressed and dressed in my closet. Yet I keep seeing these stories. Enough already....PUT UP OR SHUT UP.! YOU WANT TO WEAR IT....EARN IT....!

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Nov 26 at 2015 4:07 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 04:07:31 -0500

Screw it all! Call them all out. If you do, make damn sure you're right! You don't want to end up like several jar heads who called out a decorated Vietnam veteran...

Response by TSgt Rik Reichert made Nov 27 at 2015 6:16 PM

TSgt Rik Reichert — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 18:16:34 -0500

Please please please!!!! Alway show your ID or VA card or drivers license with Veterans status on it. I can't emphasize this enough to all the truck stops and restaurants that I use. I always as if they offer a discount and only once have they asked to see identification. I use the difference towards the tip but still if they don't ask, I try to explain why they need to . For every 10 heroes out there, there's one soup sandwich that feels he is entitled to something because he bought a uniform. Bless our real heroes out here!

Response by CPO Joel Bentley made Nov 27 at 2015 6:36 PM

CPO Joel Bentley — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 18:36:45 -0500

Another Wanna Be!

Response by CPO Joel Bentley made Nov 27 at 2015 6:40 PM

CPO Joel Bentley — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 18:40:29 -0500

Another Wanna be!

Response by MAJ Joseph Ward made Nov 27 at 2015 9:28 PM

MAJ Joseph Ward — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 21:28:03 -0500

Thank you Officer Brenner!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2015 7:10 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 07:10:05 -0500

Ridiculous!! I serve for 39 years first as a Tow gunner later as 11B and the 92M Mortuary Affairs Specialist, And here comes this impostor, trying to get some benefit from the uniform.

Response by LCpl Lawrence Toledo made Nov 29 at 2015 2:18 PM

LCpl Lawrence Toledo — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 14:18:45 -0500

100% LOSERS! With a capitol L

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 7:39 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 07:39:45 -0500

These posers have probably grown up playing video games. So they think they've done the real thing. Any sorry person that tries to take away from what our soldiers have done should have to go thru the training as punishment. But not be allowed to enter the service. It was an honor to serve and wear my uniform. SGT US Army

Response by CPL Mike Stevens made Dec 1 at 2015 11:42 AM

CPL Mike Stevens — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 11:42:12 -0500

A base in south jersey? Ft. Dix? Not really south jersey, let me know where this douchebag lives, this is my part of the woods :)

Response by MSgt Randel West made Dec 1 at 2015 1:29 PM

MSgt Randel West — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 13:29:14 -0500

These ass wholes that try to pass themselves off as military should receive jail time. We the veterans of the military worked hard for the privilege of wearing the uniform. These people want to reap the rewards and be thanked for their make belive service. They are the biggest sack of crap on the planet

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 2:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:04:14 -0500

This is sad.....he doesn't even feel bad.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 4:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:13:22 -0500

Oh so what???? Did he get a discount?

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 1 at 2015 4:26 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:26:15 -0500

Looks more like he went AWOL and needs to be returned to Ft Dix authorities so he can do six months in the brig get busted down to PVT and then finish out his 6 year contract that somehow got misplaced. Welcome to the Army PVT Asshat.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 7:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 19:25:31 -0500

Unfortunately this is becoming far too common, and it is very clear to me this guy's intention was to benefit in any way possible by wearing the uniform on veterans day. I don't see why he couldn't be prosecuted for theft by deception.

Response by SPC Christopher Doff-Sotta made Dec 1 at 2015 8:31 PM

SPC Christopher Doff-Sotta — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 20:31:21 -0500

With 16 yrs under my,belt as a soldier this kinda crap,just irks me.....

Response by SPC Jim Moore made Dec 1 at 2015 10:44 PM

SPC Jim Moore — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 22:44:54 -0500

This is not simply stolen valor. When we look at each other our litmus test is visual! You did it, I did it, we are good! Earned trust is what we are all about. I was what this individual said he was. I had a difficult way to go taking another SM into custody for what we do, tough life and steam must be released. To think we have to worry about our own not being us! I can deal with my Brother's being pissed off at me, not trusting me is unacceptable!

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 10:51 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 22:51:45 -0500

I've served since 1987 and I've never seen stolen Valor as much as I have in the past few years. If they want to wear the uniform then the judges should sentence them to basic training just to get a small taste of what we go through. Most likely 90% would never make it through basic.

Response by PO1 Kerry French made Dec 2 at 2015 3:22 AM

PO1 Kerry French — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 03:22:59 -0500

I probably wouldn't have recognized this as a fake.

Response by CPL Kevin Butler made Dec 2 at 2015 4:14 AM

CPL Kevin Butler — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 04:14:58 -0500

Why has this become a thing? Join the military or stay out of our uniforms