Huntsville Man Indicted for Fraud, Wearing ACU and Unearned Awards

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Christopher Bernard Graham, 43, of Huntsville Alabama, is one of the first to be indicted since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Stolen Valor Act, for wearing unearned medals. An indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Christopher Bernard Graham, also known as Christopher Harold Graham and Christopher Graham Lyndsey, with one count of fraud in relation to identification documents, two counts of unauthorized wearing of the U.S. Army Combat Uniform, and eight counts of unauthorized wearing of U.S. military badges, decorations or medals.

This is from the United States Attorney’s Office Website of Northern Alabama:

“Graham is charged with fraud for possessing an identification card on Aug. 14 that was illegally produced to appear as though it were issued under the authority of the United States, according to the indictment.

He wore the U.S. Army Combat Uniform, without authorization, between Oct. 1, 2010, and April 20, 2011, and also between Nov. 1, 2011, and April 1, 2012, according to the indictment. During the same two time periods, Graham also wore, without authorization, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Ranger Tab, the Army Parachute Qualification Badge, and the Army Air Assault Qualification Badge, according to the charges.

The fraud charge is a felony carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The unauthorized wearing of a U.S. military uniform or of military badges, decorations, and medals are misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of six months in prison and $5,000 fines.

The FBI and U.S. Defense Criminal Investigative Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Estes is prosecuting the case.”

Indictment at US Attorney’s Office

I am still getting information on this case, but it seems he can be charged under several US Codes for unauthorized wear of the uniform and the badges and tabs. USC code 10 771-772(See Code Here)makes it illegal for anyone other than a person of the armed forces to wear the uniform or its accessories. There are a few exceptions to this law, for Hollywood actors, re-enactments, etc.

We will update this story as the information comes to us! So for all you posers out there, remember, the Stolen Valor Act only covered verbally and in writing claiming an award. It is still against the law to pretend to be a Soldier or to wear unearned badges and tabs.