Schroeder Indicted
“The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine.” Looks like Paul A. Schroeder- the bogus former Houston-area PTSD counselor for the PTSD Foundation of America Jonn wrote about here and here – is about to find out the truth of that old saying up close and personal.
A Federal grand jury indicted Schroeder onThursday, June 29, 2012. The charge: falsifying his DD214. Schroeder faces up to $100,000 in fines and a year in jail.
No, it’s not a felony. But it’s still a good start. And if he’s convicted, it’s a Federal criminal conviction.
You may no longer get prosecuted for lying in a bar, or to your buddies, about your military record due to the recent SCOTUS decision regarding the Stolen Valor Act of 2005. But I’d still recommend thinking twice before wearing decorations you don’t rate, or forging a DD214 to support a bogus claim. Those are still Federal crimes; the laws defining them weren’t affected by the recent SCOTUS decision on the Stolen Valor Act of 2005.
Ain’t that right, Paulie-boy?
Category: Phony soldiers, Shitbags, Stolen Valor Act
[…] Schroeder Indicted […]
Thank You, Hondo, for this quick news of JUSTICE .
I hope it holds up. I truly do.
Actually ANY Federal Conviction is a Felony.
Federal Level doesn;t have misdomeanors.
Example: Joe Private is on the line for an ART15 (Company level), He listens to his favorite Latrine Lawyer and requests a Courts Martial (Yes it is “Courts”). Since he is an idiot, he gets convicted, he now has a Federal Felony on his record.
I’m not a lawyer, I;ve just had stupid Privates under my hat.
So i could be as wrong as 3 boys doing the nasty in a church, on the alter, on Easter Weekend.
Uh, Uncle Marty . . . ‘fraid you are as wrong as someone doing the nasty in church. Federal law defines a felony as a crime for which conviction is punishable by imprisonment for longer than one year, or by death. It doesn’t matter if a particular sentence is for that much time; what matters is the possible maximum sentence. See 18 USC 3559.
Any Federal crime with a maximum punishment of 1 year in prison or less is thus a Federal misdemeanor. If the maximum punishment is longer than one year (or death), it’s a Federal felony.
I am going to go out on a limb here…what do you all think of this idea…these assholes have already victimized society and the vets who have given them the freedom to be assholes. And we want to send them to prison, which while not Club Med, has more benefits then being on the street…3 hots and a cot,school opportunities and protection from angry real vets…and WE pay for it? Whats it cost the American taxpayer to house an idiot in prison? To what end? Cant we find some kind of community service for them? Send them to a Sheriff Joe style tent cities to clean up after the cons…paint over graffiti…help at a hospital…something? Why let them victimize society and possibly benefit from it in the end? Just a thought…anyone?
JohnE: sounds good to me. I’ve never had a problem with “tent-city” style incarceration for nonviolent misdemeanors. And it need not be particularly comfortable, either.
Hondo, you cite 18 USC 3559 which has nothing to do with a Special or General Courts Martial. A Summary Court Martial has a maximum punishment of up to 30 days confinement in addition to monitary losses. A Summary Court Martial also has the authority to refer the case to a Special or General Court Martial which both have the authority to sentence confinement of in excess of 12 months. Rather than reading US penal codes, try the Military Manual for Courts Martial and you will find some (with the exception of summary) validity to what Uncle Marty said. Two sets of rules to play by, just the way it is.
unknown individual (8): I corrected the screen name you used, since you attributed that comment to me and I know damn well I did not post it.
Impersonating others here at TAH is generally regarded as being a jerk.
Three points regarding your nonsense in comment 8 above:
(1) 18 USC 3559 defines what constitutes a Federal felony by categorizing Federal crimes; that’s why I cited it. It applies to all Federal crimes. Above, I was correcting Uncle Marty’s assertion that there is no such thing as a federal misdemeanor. There are indeed Federal misdemeanors and felonies; 18 USC 3559 tells you which is which.
(2) The UCMJ is part of the US Code – it’s found in 10 USC Chapter 47, to be precise. Since the definitions of 18 USC 3559 regarding felonies and misdemeanors apply to all crimes defined by Federal law, they apply to crimes defined by the UCMJ as well.
(3) In any case, the UCMJ is completely irrelevant here. Schroeder was a civilian at the time he forged his DD214. The UCMJ would in general not apply for crimes committed after his discharge. That’s why he was indicted by Federal civilian vice military authorities.
Next time, do your homework and get a clue or two before commenting here.
And don’t impersonate others while commenting.