Rochester Man Arrested, Charged with Producing False Military ID Cards and Making False Statement

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Mark Allen Kelly, 54, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with producing false military ID cards and making false statements to federal agents. Each charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Kelly misrepresented himself to his employer and the community as being an Officer in the United States Navy. The defendant regularly wore full dress naval uniforms at Veterans events. This included a memorial for a fallen Marine killed in Afghanistan where Kelly presented a flag to the Marine’s parents. When questioned, the defendant supported his false claims by presenting an authentic looking, but fraudulently made, military ID card.

The defendant’s conduct came to the attention of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) who began a criminal investigation. During the investigation, Kelly was interviewed by NCIS Agents and made several false material statements. Investigators also recovered several false military ID cards in various stages of production from the defendant’s place of employment.

Kelly will make his initial appearance at 12:00 p.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Feldman.

The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leo Lamont, NCIS Northeast Field Office.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.