Former sailor charged with impersonating a Navy SEAL

Law enforcement set up a sting operation to arrest a former sailor who was impersonating an active-duty Navy SEAL.

This Week’s Crime…

THE ACCUSED:

Carlos Felipe Luna-Gonzalez is a former enlisted seaman apprentice in the Navy.

THE CRIME:

Gonzalez is charged with theft, tampering with a government document and presenting a fraudulent military record.

Law enforcement set up a sting operation to arrest Gonzalez, who was impersonating an active- duty Navy SEAL. Police lured Gonzalez by pretending to award him a “firearm of appreciation.”

Gonzalez allegedly posted pictures on social media while wearing a Navy dress uniform. The uniform had the lieutenant junior grade rank, displayed a Navy SEAL trident, jump wings and other various awards.

Gonzalez befriended many people in the North Texas law enforcement community. He told them that he was stationed at Naval Air Station Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas. Gonzalez claimed he awaited a medical discharge for injuries he suffered in Africa on a Navy SEAL operation. An investigation by the Navy Criminal Investigative Service found that his statements were false. In fact, Gonzalez was given an early general discharge from the Navy, had never been a commissioned officer or a SEAL, nor had he earned a Purple Heart or faced active combat.

THE PUNISHMENT:

Gonzalez was released after posting $18,500 bond. No word on a sentencing date.

Source: Navy Times

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