The U.S. Attorney’s Office Middle
District of Georgia released the below information:
COLUMBUS,
Ga. – A veteran
who reaped federal monetary benefits for faking a mental health condition and
who falsely claimed to have earned two of the highest honors bestowed for
military service was sentenced to the top of his sentencing guideline range and
will pay restitution for his crimes, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United
States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Gregg Ramsdell, 61, of Columbus, was sentenced to 12 months in
prison, the top of his federal sentencing guideline range, three years
supervised release and was ordered to pay $76,000 in restitution to the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on
Tuesday, August 18 after pleading guilty to one count of false statements and
one count of violation of the Stolen Valor Act. There is no parole in the
federal system.
“Ramsdell’s conduct does a disservice to all of those who
exhibit true valor, serving honorably and courageously in our nation’s armed
forces. He will pay the penalty for claiming to be the hero he was not,
and reaping monetary benefits reserved for our nation’s true heroes,” said U.S.
Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the FBI for unraveling his lies, and
working alongside us and the VA to protect the integrity of a system built only
for those who have sacrificed for and served our country.”
“The sentenced imposed on Ramsdell sends a clear message that
anyone who falsely claims to have received our Nation’s most valorous medals
earned through combat and service will be held accountable. VA OIG is resolute
in investigating allegations of ‘Stolen Valor’ and holding those who attempt to
besmirch the heroic service of our military for personal gain responsible for
their deceitful acts,” said David Spilker, Special Agent in Charge, VA Office
of Inspector General.
"Anyone who lies about serving our country to illegally
take tax payer money from federal programs that help deserving veterans must be
held accountable to the full extent of our laws," said Chris Hacker,
Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "Hopefully Ramsdell's sentence
will bring solace to every veteran insulted by his actions, particularly those
who suffered physical and mental trauma for their commitment and valor."
Ramsdell admitted that he falsely claimed to have suffered
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when he applied for disability payments
from the VA on September 7, 2014. Ramsdell wrote that he witnessed horrible
atrocities during deployment in Afghanistan from October 2008 to March 2009.
Among other stressors,
he stated he had seen "men, women and children being executed. Women
holding babies while detonating themselves. IED explosions causing severe
bodily injuries and death. Retrieving body parts and bagging them. Having blood
and body excrements being blown onto my uniform." He also falsely claimed
that these experiences made him “unable to live a normal life.”
As a result of
Ramsdell’s false claims, the VA gave him added PTSD benefits retroactive to his
military discharge date of June 1, 2014 totaling $76,000. In truth, Ramsdell
was not in Afghanistan during that period of time that he claimed to witness
the atrocities that supported his false PTSD claim, and he admitted to
investigators that he lied about having PTSD. In addition, Ramsdell applied for
and attained a coveted civilian position at U.S. Army Fort Benning in 2017, in
part because his resume listed that he was both a Silver Star and Purple Heart
with Cluster recipient. He never received these honors.
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it a crime for people to pass
themselves off as war heroes in order to claim money, employment, property or
other tangible benefits. The Silver Star medal is the third highest honor
bestowed by the U.S. Army. The Purple Heart medal is awarded to members of the
U.S. Armed Forces who are wounded or killed in battle. An additional Oak Leaf
Cluster is given to Army and Air Force service members to indicate being
wounded in combat on more than one occasion.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Veterans
Affairs, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melvin Hyde
is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to
Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s
Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director
(Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.
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