Calgary Man Charged with Posing as a Soldier

The CalgaryNews posted a story about a man being charged with offering survival training posed as a former military man.  Our friends with The Stolen Valor Canada group were quoted in the article.

Calgary man charged with gun offenses posing as a soldier

CALGARY – A Calgary man accused of posing as a former military man and offering survival training under false ID is now charged.

The investigation began in May after police were briefed on a man who runs a firearms training, survival training and self-defense company for women called Sheep Dog Enterprises from his home in southeast Calgary.

“It is alleged that the man was in possession of several firearms, had neither proper documentation nor a firearms license and was never connected to the military,” the police said in a statement.

“The man is also believed to have forged documents and sneaked into veteran and law enforcement support groups.”

Police received a search warrant and the man’s home was searched on July 6 when several firearms were confiscated along with several forged documents, falsified ID cards and body armor.

Bradley Bell, 35, is charged:

• A count of illegal use of military uniforms or certificates;
• Three cases of possession of a firearm while unauthorized;
• Three points for careless use, storage, handling and transport of a firearm;
• Possession of stolen property under $ 5,000 in two cases;
• A count of possession of body armor without a valid permit and;
• Fees under the Road Safety Act, including driving with unauthorized driving, driving without registration and driving without insurance.

“We are still working to understand why Mr. Bell went out of his way to portray himself as a former member of the Canadian military,” said Calgary Police Sgt. Ben Lawson.

“Regardless of their motivations, we recognize that illegal possession and improper use of firearms can have a significant impact on community security.”

The Stolen Valor Canada group made a statement:

“We remember the blood, sweat, and tears it took to earn a piece of metal tied to a colored ribbon, strip of cloth, or an embroidered badge.

“Fakery isn’t flattery, it’s cold, calculated deception. Over the past seven years, SVC has exposed posers, fakes, and beauticians who have used their fake military narratives to ‘sell their services / skills’ in order to gain access to secure job opportunities. ” Intimidation, theft, fraud including access to veteran / military services, questionable charity programs, embezzlement, and dating scams are routinely linked to false claims by the armed forces.

Fortunately, many veterans serve in Canada’s police force and realize that stolen valor is often the tip of the iceberg. SVC commends the CPS for their successful investigation into this case and we will be on the lookout for further developments regarding potentially ‘stolen valor’. Fees.”

According to police, the investigation is ongoing and further charges may be brought.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Calgary Police Sgt. Ben Lawson asked: “We are still working to understand why Mr. Bell went out of his way to portray himself as a former member of the Canadian military.”  Ah, one of life’s many mysteries.

The idea of ‘street cred’ is probably buried in the answer to that.

Category: Canada, None, Stolen Valor