• United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan
    District of Massachusetts

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING
    January 9, 2008 PHONE: (617)748-3356
    WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA
    E-MAIL: USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV

    LAWRENCE SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF
    FALSELY CLAIMING TO BE A MARINE VETERAN BY POSSESSING AND USING A
    PHONY MILITARY DISCHARGE DOCUMENT


Lawrence, MA... A recently elected Lawrence School Committee member was arrested
this morning on a federal complaint and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joyce L.
Alexander for his initial appearance at 10:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in
Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New England Field Division, announced the
arrest of JAMES F. STOKES, age 63, of 101 Boxford Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
STOKES is currently charged in a one count complaint with using, unlawfully
possessing and exhibiting a forged, counterfeited and altered military discharge document known
as a form DD-214. By using this document, STOKES falsely claimed to be a veteran of the
United States Marine Corps who had received numerous awards, including a Purple Heart
Medal. As currently charged, STOKES faces a maximum punishment of one year in prison and
a $100,000 fine.
"Falsely claiming Veteran status and bogus claims of receiving military awards or medals
is an affront to each and every man and woman who has served our Country as part of our
Armed Services," said United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan.
The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI and is being prosecuted by
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian T. Kelly in Sullivan’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions
Unit.
The details contained in the Complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed to
be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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http://boston.fbi.gov/pressreleases.htm