Hampton Bays, N.Y. – Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney announced Tuesday that David Agtsteribbe, 58, has been arrested on multiple felony counts after an investigation revealed he pretended to be a decorated combat veteran to gain access to the local American Legion and steal thousands of dollars.
False military claims
According to the criminal complaint, Agtsteribbe was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army following a court‑martial conviction in 1988. Despite that record, he repeatedly submitted forged military documents claiming he earned two Purple Hearts – one for alleged action with the elite Combat Applications Group in Panama and another for wounds sustained while protecting a United States Senator in Iraq.
The fabricated honors allowed him to secure a leadership position within the Hampton Bays American Legion. Prosecutors say he used the position to divert more than $81,000 from the organization for personal expenses, including online purchases, utility bills, a private business‑membership program, streaming services, travel, clothing and other items.
Community reaction
Local residents expressed shock and disappointment. “That’s really unbelievable that somebody could do that. It’s sad, very sad,” said Hampton Bays resident Pablo Hernandez.
Charges and potential sentence
Agtsteribbe faces charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, offering a false instrument for filing, and falsifying business records. He was taken into custody without bail and remains in jail awaiting trial. If convicted, the statutes allow a sentence ranging from 25 years to life in prison.
Prosecutor’s statement
Tierney emphasized that the fraud targeted resources meant to honor genuine veterans. “Our investigation revealed the defendant should never have been able to join the American Legion in the first place, but he did by falsely portraying himself as a decorated combat veteran with over three decades of service that never took place,” the DA said.
Tierney added that for nearly a decade, Agtsteribbe submitted falsified documents to gain memberships in multiple veterans’ groups, attend recognition ceremonies, appear in media, promote his businesses, and obtain official government documents such as veteran photo IDs, Purple Heart license plates, and permits.
Additional false claims
The complaint also alleges that Agtsteribbe claimed to be a prisoner of war. Prosecutors counter that during the period he asserted this status, he was actually incarcerated in upstate New York for a prior grand larceny conviction.
The case underscores the importance of vigilant oversight within veteran organizations and serves as a reminder that fraudsters will exploit patriotic symbols for personal gain. Authorities encourage anyone with information about similar misconduct to contact the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
