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Massachusetts School Committee Member Convicted and SentencedFormer Lawrence MA School Committee member has been convicted for using, unlawfully possessing and exhibiting a forged, counterfeited and altered military discharge document - DD-214.
June 9, 2008 LAWRENCE MA NEWS -- A recently elected, but now resigned, Lawrence School Committee member, James F. Stokes, has been sentenced for his crime. James F. Stokes, age 63, of 101 Boxford Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts was charged in a one count complaint with using, unlawfully possessing and exhibiting a forged, counterfeited and altered military discharge document known as a form DD-214. By using this document, Stokes falsely claimed to be a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who had received numerous awards, including a Purple Heart Medal. As currently charged, Stokes faced a maximum punishment of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. "Falsely claiming Veteran status and bogus claims of receiving military awards or medals is an affront to each and every man and woman who has served our Country as part of our Armed Services," said United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan. Sadly, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joyce London Alexander sentenced Stokes to only two years of probation and $100 special assessment fee. The case resulted from an investigation conducted by the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian T. Kelly in Sullivan's Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit. Published by: # # # |