Man accused of posing as decorated Marine
PHOENIX – A man has been accused of pretending to be a highly decorated Marine by wearing a uniform with ribbons representing prestigious military honors, authorities said Thursday.
John William Rodriguez, 31, was arrested Wednesday and faces 13 charges of felony fraud schemes.
Rodriguez also may face a federal charge of violating the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, which makes it a misdemeanor to lie about getting a military decoration.
Detective Roger Wilson said it was unclear why Rodriguez was posing as a war hero, but that he got discounts on airline tickets, didn’t have to change the registration on his car from California to Arizona and made friends by introducing himself as a Marine.
Wilson said Rodriguez, who is unemployed, had been living in Scottsdale, at the home of a man he met on a flight to Phoenix, without paying for his stay.
He also said Rodriguez cited an upcoming deployment to Iraq to get a court hearing on a drunken-driving charge postponed.