Randall J. Montour, Stolen Valor, New York 2024

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Table of Contents

Canadian Man Caught in Web of Deceit

Randall J. Montour, a 45-year-old resident of Cornwall, Ontario, has been sentenced to two years of probation for violating the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 and for falsifying his military discharge certificate. This sentence comes after Montour’s guilty plea on February 29, 2024, where he admitted to altering his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Form DD-214, to reflect an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force and numerous decorations, medals, badges, citations, or campaign ribbons, including the Purple Heart.

Military records, however, show that Montour received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force in 2001 and was only awarded the Air Force Training Ribbon during his time in service. He is not a Purple Heart recipient. Montour used his altered Form DD-214 to purchase Purple Heart Recipient license plates from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, which he then affixed to his vehicle.

The extent of Montour’s deception went beyond his altered military records. He also appeared at veterans’ events wearing an Air Force uniform belonging to a senior non-commissioned officer, a rank the defendant did not achieve in the Air Force, and displaying a ribbon stack depicting many decorations, medals, badges, citations, or campaign ribbons that he did not earn, including the Purple Heart.

United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro imposed additional sentences on Montour, including 200 hours of community service and a $10,000 fine. This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of attempting to deceive and misrepresent oneself, particularly in a context as revered as military service.

The United States Marshals Service investigated the case with assistance from the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas G. Collyer prosecuted the case.

As the Grimy Times continues to expose the darker corners of our society, we remain committed to holding individuals accountable for their actions and shedding light on the crimes that plague our communities.

For more information on this case, contact the United States Marshal’s Service or the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.