Tucson Man Indicted for Posing as U.S. Air Force Officer

TUCSON, AZ—A federal grand jury in Tucson returned a seven-count indictment yesterday against Jeffery Lee Bennett, 46, for identification document fraud, falsely presenting himself in an United States Air Force uniform with the rank of Major General, fraudulent use of a department of the United States seal, and entry by false pretenses to real property of the United States.

The indictment alleges that on March 30, 2011, Bennett possessed an identification document produced without lawful authority that appeared to be a United States Air Force Common Access card that he presented to the installation gate guard at Fort Huachuca to identify himself. It is alleged that Bennett was driving a vehicle that had a fraudulent Department of Defense personal vehicle registration sticker with the Department of Defense seal, and that he entered the military installation under false pretenses by wearing a United States Air Force uniform with the rank of Major General. Once on the post it is alleged that Bennett made unauthorized purchases at the post exchange and commissary by pretending to be a general officer. It is alleged that Bennett accessed the post again on April 5, 2011, wearing an unauthorized uniform and driving a vehicle with a fraudulent Department of Defense personal vehicle registration sticker.

Each of the seven counts are felony offenses; the highest charge of Entry by False Pretenses to Real Property of the United States with the intent to commit a felony carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining the actual sentence, the assigned United States District Court Judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Melanie McGhee, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona