Veterans Cheated Out of Their Medals
Prosecutors say more than a dozen veterans across the country have been duped out of their medals by a man who promised to frame the decorations for them but then replaced them with cheap imitations.
Stephen Pyne, 35, a budget official for rural Carroll County north of Baltimore, was charged Wednesday with stealing military decorations from three retired military officers around Annapolis. Prosecutors say they have heard of similar scams from veterans in Washington, Virginia, New Jersey and Texas.
A raid on Pyne’s home turned up ribbons, swords, epaulets and medals including Purple Hearts, Distinguished Flying Crosses, Navy Crosses and Medals of Honor, the nation’s highest military award.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
