A Clay County, Minn., man was convicted by a federal jury on Friday in a case of stolen valor for fraudulently collecting military benefits he wasn’t entitled to receive.
Mikhail Robin Wicker, also known as Michael Robin Wicker, 39, was convicted on counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, using a false military discharge certificate, and fraudulent use of military medals, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen.
Details contained in the U.S. Attorney’s press release and the original indictment state that Wicker spent years posing as a decorated U.S. Marine. He falsely claimed to have been deployed to Iraq in 2005 as part of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. Wicker claimed he had been injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) attack and was captured and held as a prisoner of war. He also falsely claimed to be a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal. In reality, Wicker never served in any branch of the military.
For years, Wicker relied on his untrue claims to obtain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and supported his fraud scheme using forged documents, including a counterfeit DD-214 and fake medal certificates, which he submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Relying on those materials, the VA provided him with more than $140,000 in healthcare, disability, and education benefits.
Wicker was convicted following a one-week jury trial. At trial, Marine veterans from Lima Company testified Wicker never served with them. Agents testified that federal searches across Marine Corps and Department of War databases confirmed there was no record of Wicker ever serving in the military. Employment, pay, and state court records placed Wicker in Michigan during the years he claimed to be deployed to Iraq. The government also demonstrated at trial that Wicker used his false claims and forged certificates to exploit and defraud several VA programs out of monetary benefits and free healthcare.
After a few hours of deliberations, the jury found Wicker guilty on all counts.
Wicker has been out of custody on his own recognizance since his arraignment last year. A sentencing hearing in front of United States District Judge Jeffrey Bryan will be set at a later date.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Officer of the Inspector General; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General; with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Dilworth Police Department.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
