Veteran accused of falsely claiming injuries to collect benefits

A U.S. Army veteran from Riverside County has been charged with falsely claiming he was wounded during the Vietnam War to obtain almost $60,000 in government benefits.

Command Sgt. Maj. William Roy, 57, of Winchester was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Riverside, the U.S. attorney's office said.

Roy, who is an active-duty soldier, is charged with stealing government property, making false statements and submitting false documents to the government. He faces up to 55 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors allege Roy claimed to have won two Purple Hearts for wounds and a Bronze Star for bravery in Vietnam when he actually was stationed in Germany. He also is accused of requesting a Purple Heart in 2008 after falsely claiming he was injured in Afghanistan.

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-- Dan Weikel