Man given probation, community service in Stolen Valor case

A 49-year-old Florida man was given three years of probation and 120 hours of volunteer work as his sentence for pretending to be a highly decorated Marine. According to the Tampa Tribune, Angel Ocasio-Reyes, who said he was ashamed of his actions, was convicted on three federal misdemeanor charges under the Stolen Valor Act.

His 120 hours of volunteer work will likely be in the service of veterans.

Ocasio-Reyes had a Marine master gunnery sergeant uniform he purchased at an Army Navy surplus store and carried a false military discharge document. He altered the document so that it appeared he had earned a number of medals and decorations, including the Navy Cross, and that he served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was injured in combat. He visited local American Legion and VFW posts and was befriended by members there. It was discrepancies in his stories that finally led veterans to question his service. He pleaded guilty to the charges.

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