BANGOR, Maine – Gregory P. Heimann Jr., 51, of Forest City Township, Maine, is facing serious federal charges after allegedly lying to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to collect benefits he didn’t deserve. Heimann was arrested August 21st in La Plata, Missouri, ending a months-long manhunt.
The Department of Justice alleges that Heimann falsely claimed to be wheelchair-bound since 2004, unable to walk or stand. This deception, according to court records, was perpetrated to fraudulently obtain VA benefits. He was initially charged via federal criminal complaint, and an arrest warrant was issued in April 2024. But Heimann vanished, prompting the U.S. Marshals Service to get involved.
Investigators with the USMS Maine Violent Offender Task Force weren’t buying Heimann’s story. An affidavit supporting the initial complaint detailed numerous instances – documented and recorded – of Heimann walking and standing in Maine without the aid of any mobility devices. This directly contradicted his claims to the VA, raising red flags and kicking off a full-scale investigation.
The USMS tracked Heimann across state lines, finally locating him in La Plata, Missouri, where he was taken into custody by USMS investigators from the Eastern District of Missouri. The VA Office of Inspector General and the Maine Warden Service provided crucial assistance throughout the investigation, piecing together the evidence that led to Heimann’s arrest.
Heimann made his initial appearance in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on August 22nd. He’s currently being held in USMS custody, awaiting transfer to Maine where he will face the charges leveled against him. He was indicted in October 2024, formalizing the accusations of making false statements to the Government.
It’s important to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Gregory P. Heimann Jr. is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. But the evidence suggests a calculated attempt to exploit a system designed to support those who have genuinely served and sacrificed for this country. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.”
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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