TAMPA, FL -- Federal prosecutors are on alert following an ABC Action News investigation (
watch the investigation) which uncovered a Tampa man masquerading as decorated U.S. Marine.
Angel Ocasio has been showing up at Tampa Area VFW's and American Legion halls wearing a clean, starched dress blue Marine Corps Uniform sporting the rank of a Sgt. Major and a chest full of some of the most distinguished commendations a Marine can earn, including the revered Navy Cross.
Amazingly, the Marine Corps tells us it has no record of an Angel Ocasio.
“It's unconscionable. A Marine who wears this uniform has paid a great price for this uniform,” says Lt. General John Allen.
Lt. General Allen is a real Marine with real medals. He's a three star general and Deputy Commander of Central Command. He is also one of the highest ranking Marines in the nation.
We showed him some of our photos of Angel Ocasio in uniform with his commendations.
"For someone who would wear the uniform of a Marine and not to have been shoulder to shoulder with Marines in combat and wear combat decorations for heroism in unconscionable," he says.
Yet for the last year, Ocasio has been telling local veterans he's one of General Allen's men.
"He told us he's still on active duty and he said he was down at MacDill Air Force Base," says Roger Golden of the New Port Richey detachment of the Marine Corps League.
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The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 makes it illegal to fraudulently wear decorations like the Navy Cross.
Local veterans let the Marine Corps know about Ocasio seven months ago, however, within the last few weeks, we found Ocasio continuing his charade.
Jay Agg of AMVETS, one of the largest veterans’ organizations in the country, says it's not only rare to find someone dressing up in full uniform, but it's even harder to document it like we were able to.
"This is probably more outrageous and more improbable then the script of Forest Gump," he says.
“I would be amazed if this didn't catch the attention of the FBI, the VA and Federal authorities. It's such a clear cut case of Stolen Valor especially since there's video and photo evidence he has said in his own words that he's earned these medals when clearly he has not," he continues.
Unfortunately for Ocasio, it has. In a statement, U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton says “Since the Stolen Valor Act was passed in 2005, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has vigorously prosecuted those who have violated it. We will continue to seek prosecution in the future of those who pretend to be heroes, when in fact they are stealing the valor earned by the true heroes serving our country in the armed services.”
We've has also learned that the FBI has begun looking into the Ocasio case. The bureau has a “Stolen Valor” case officer who investigates these matters.
Stay tuned to ABC Action News and abcactionnews.com as we continue to follow this story.
