Virginia man indicted for falsely altering his military discharge papers

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Jon Sterling Williams, of Richmond, Virginia, was indicted today on a charge of falsely altering his military discharge paperwork, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Williams, age 56, was indicted one count of “Altered Army Discharge Certificate.”  Williams is accused of having a falsely altered discharge certificate, claiming he was awarded a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars. He was allegedly in possession of the certificate in January 2019 in Berkeley County.

Williams faces up to one year incarceration and a fine of up to $100,000.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Finucane is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Veterans Affairs Police investigated. 

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.