MAN SENTENCED FOR WEARING UNEARNED SERVICE
BADGES, INCLUDING DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS,
STAR, AND THREE PURPLE HEARTS

MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LOUIS LOWELL McGUINN, a/k/a "Lowell Craig McGuinn," was sentenced today to one year of probation and one hundred hours of community service, after pleading guilty on December 12, 2007 to wearing service medals and badges -- including the distinguished service cross, silver star, and multiple purple hearts -- that he did not earn or have authorization to wear. The sentence was imposed by United States Magistrate Judge KEVIN NATHANIEL FOX. According to the Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court and statements made during McGUINN’s guilty plea proceeding:

McGUINN, who was discharged from the Army in 1968 as a private, falsely held himself out as a Lieutenant Colonel. As part of his ruse, MCGUINN wore a uniform with numerous unauthorized medals and badges, including a Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, and three Purple Hearts, among others, in violation of the law. McGUINN was observed wearing the medals at social functions, including an event at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, Long Island, where the Executive Director of the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines & Airmen Club noticed that McGUINN wore decorations on his uniform in the incorrect manner. McGUINN was also photographed wearing the medals to a social event at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan.

In imposing the sentence, Judge FOX stated that he took account of the “likely damage the defendant caused to the prestige” of individuals that had legitimately earned the medals, and specifically imposed community service to try to “redress damage to the community because of the defendant’s misconduct.”

Mr. GARCIA praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Assistant United States Attorney MICHAEL M. ROSENSAFT is in charge of the prosecution.

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