Posted on Nov 20, 2015
"Man arrested for impersonating a Soldier on Veterans day"
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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/
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/
Stolen Valor
Army
Crime
Posted 10 y ago
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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!
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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.
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PO3 (Join to see)
Ribbons too High...!!! Those aren't just too high...They're orbiting the moon...!!!!
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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.
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PO3 John Boker
I don't want a Thank You,,,,,, I did it for my self, Country and my Flag, and had 5 brothers who took the oath,, CBVet BU3 74 - 80
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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?
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?
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SGM (Join to see)
You are correct in regards to the Supreme Court , and mps are not seen at policed officer outside the military... I think in the end he will walk and my even be able to sue the department for false arrest .... What they should have done is said thanks for your service let me buy to a cup of coffee to show my thanks for serving our country ... Then expecting that offer would be a crime...
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SPC Patrick Carnes
if they are deputized as federal police they have control anywhere or at least they used too back in my day.
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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!
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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....!
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PO1 Kerry French
I served with the USMC and had the opportunity to wear Charlies. I told them I would not because I did not earn them... I was a squid and truth be told... I didn't want to stand the JOB inspections plus I didn't know how to wear the Marine Corps uniforms.
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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?
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MSG (Join to see)
Just be glad I don't bother to bore people with stories from when I was with her majesties military back in Africa during the Zulu wars.
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PO3 (Join to see)
My Dad was thinking of conceiving me in Da Nang in October of 1971'....Does that count? ;)
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Needs to be on national news, only so the fakers can see there is a penalty to their lying.
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SPC Martha Genn
I think if you are caught pretending / claiming to be military with no actual prior service they should be able to boot camp your a** on the presumption that you have agreed to serve and defend our country.
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