Fake Marine Found Guilty After Falsely Claiming Purple Heart, POW Status for Years

A Minnesota man was found guilty this month of deceiving the Department of Veterans Affairs, having falsely claimed to be a decorated Marine and Purple Heart recipient. He defrauded the agency of over $140,000 in various benefits, according to federal prosecutors.

A federal jury on Nov. 21 convicted Mikhail Robin Wicker, 39, of wire fraud, mail fraud, using a false military discharge certificate, and the fraudulent use of military medals, as reported by the Justice Department. Prosecutors allege that Wicker engaged in forgery, created false combat injury claims, and concocted a prisoner-of-war narrative to obtain VA benefits between 2015 and 2020.

The indictment reveals that Wicker asserted he was deployed to Iraq in 2005 with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, a unit known for experiencing some of the highest casualties during the conflict. He informed officials that he endured a blast from an improvised explosive device, experienced PTSD, and was a prisoner of war from February 25 to March 4, 2005.

“He claimed to have received multiple awards and decorations for his service, including the Purple Heart… "None of these claims were accurate," the indictment stated.

To support the narrative, Wicker provided a counterfeit DD-214 discharge form, along with forged certificates for awards such as the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. Authorities indicated that he used these forged documents to obtain VA disability payments and medical services, and, subsequently, educational benefits at North Dakota State University.

The situation came to light in 2020, when the VA identified discrepancies after Wicker requested a boost in disability compensation. Authorities found that he had not been deployed to Iraq and had instead been employed in retail positions in Minnesota while he asserted he was serving abroad.

Throughout the weeklong trial, several Marine veterans from Lima Company provided testimony indicating that Wicker was never a member of their unit. Prosecutors additionally introduced employment and location records that challenge his assertions regarding wartime service.

Officials reported that Wicker had unlawfully received approximately $140,000 in healthcare subsidies, disability payments, and education assistance before the VA canceled his benefits.

He could be sentenced to as much as 20 years in federal prison following his wire fraud conviction, though a date for sentencing has yet to be set.