Florida Man Arrested For Impersonating Naval Officer For Money
Law enforcement officials arrested a Florida man after he was discovered wearing a military uniform complete with ribbons and awards while soliciting money for veterans, even though he is not a veteran.
Freemane Brown, 54, was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office when he was discovered at a grocery story in Tampa, Florida, impersonating a military officer. He was reportedly wearing a U.S. Navy commander’s uniform, with 21 ribbons as well as a Navy Cross and Silver Star. He also reportedly had a Navy SEAL Trident as well as Jump Wings.
Some deputies at the scene found numerous components of his uniform that are not military regulation.
Upon questioning, Brown claimed that he was a former member of SEAL Team Six and had been traveling around the world. He soon recanted the statement, saying he was never a naval officer or a member of SEAL Team Six.
According to the manager of the grocery store, Brown had permission to stand outside and solicit money for veterans because she believed him to be a veteran.
He told deputies he purchased his military ribbons and medals from a local military surplus store.
Brown was arrested at his home on Aug. 12 for felony unlawful use of uniforms, medals or insignia. Deputies also confiscated his uniform and military insignias.
A judge set his bail at $2,000.
Freemane Brown, 54, was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office when he was discovered at a grocery story in Tampa, Florida, impersonating a military officer. He was reportedly wearing a U.S. Navy commander’s uniform, with 21 ribbons as well as a Navy Cross and Silver Star. He also reportedly had a Navy SEAL Trident as well as Jump Wings.
Some deputies at the scene found numerous components of his uniform that are not military regulation.
According to the manager of the grocery store, Brown had permission to stand outside and solicit money for veterans because she believed him to be a veteran.
He told deputies he purchased his military ribbons and medals from a local military surplus store.
Brown was arrested at his home on Aug. 12 for felony unlawful use of uniforms, medals or insignia. Deputies also confiscated his uniform and military insignias.
A judge set his bail at $2,000.
'Ok, Ok,...let me tell you about my 'Ribbons'...let's see now..Ok, This one I got when I was fighting those pesky Chinamen in North Korea, kicked their wormy butts I did!, annnd This one here, Oh!, this is my Favorite, I got it in 'Nam when I was Commander of a Mini Attack Sub, here we were, surrounded by dozens of North Viet Sampans bearing down on us at ramming speed, we were in dire straits as we had used up our conventional torpedos on three North Viet subs, and our 'chineguns were frozen solid, so I grabbed our anchor chain, swung that thing until I had destroyed all but one of those 'samps', and then I jumped in and swan after the last one, when I caught up with it I punched a hole in its hull, and down she went, and of I course saved the day. Hey, I ain't braggin' or nothin' but you don't get a hero medal for nuthin'! And...let's see...oh yeah, This one here..ahhhh..hmmm..well, lets move on to This one..'Expert Money Begger' ribbon, don't see Those everyday! Oh, and how about This dandy, 'Navy Seal Master', got that one when I worked at Sea World, in charge of those sqawky seals, hated that job! Well, looks like the boys in blue have showed up, probably want my autograph, and the story of my life, which by the way is Quite a 'story'. Say could you spare a buck for the needy?'
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