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Former Coast Guard Senior Chief Pleads Guilty to False Impersonation
New Bern, NC – In a shocking case of federal badge abuse, 53-year-old Thomas R. Bowes, a former Senior Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard, has pleaded guilty to false impersonation of a federal employee.
Bowes, who retired from the Coast Guard on November 30, 2013, formed his own company and began misappropriating the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seal without authorization. He then used this fake badge to obtain various things of value, including expedited service from merchants, entry into sniper competitions, and government discounts.
According to the Criminal Information filed on April 27, 2018, Bowes sent approximately 126 emails between July 2, 2014, and November 13, 2016, in which he falsely represented himself as an employee of the Department of Homeland Security.
“The privilege of exercising the responsibility and powers of the federal government is protected by those laws which govern the use of the insignia, seals and other representations of federal authority,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. “This prosecution sends a clear message to anyone else who might falsely impersonate a federal official that there will be consequences for the crime.”
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, Chesapeake Region. Assistant U.S. Attorney Banumathi Rangarajan is handling the prosecution on behalf of the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Bowes faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 3 years, and/or a $250,000 fine at sentencing.
This is not the first time a former federal official has been caught faking a badge. In recent years, several cases have been reported of federal employees misusing their authority for personal gain.
“This investigation demonstrated the importance of protecting the integrity of the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard by holding accountable those who use official DHS and USCG government symbols, words and phrases to deceive or mislead the public,” said Marty J. Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of the Coast Guard Investigative Service.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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