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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
April 9, 2008
WICHITA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FALSE CLAIM HE HAD A PURPLE HEART
WICHITA, KAN. – Albert Barker, 58, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty Wednesday to making a false claim that he had been awarded the Purple Heart.
In his plea, Barker admitted that in January 2006, he caused his American Veterans representative to submit a fraudulent Army General Order 164, which had been altered by Barker to represent that Barker had received a Purple Heart Medal.
A Purple Heart is a medal awarded by the president of the United States to members of the military who are wounded or killed in the line of duty.
Sentencing is set for July 2, 2008. Barker faces a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison and a fine up to $100,000. U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren commended the Veterans Administration and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.
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