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Jury: Kan. man not the war hero he claimed to be

TOPEKA -A federal jury on Thursday returned a guilty verdict in the case of a Junction City man who stole his father’s identity to apply for a loan to buy a $490,000 house, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

Matthew Williams, 47, Junction City, was convicted on one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Williams filled out a loan application with Pulaski Bank using his father’s name, social security number and other identifying information in an attempt to get a loan to purchase a house in Shawnee, Kansas. The defendant was in bankruptcy proceedings at the time.

The government presented evidence that Williams claimed to be an Army veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart award for valor in Vietnam. In fact, Williams’ father, Earl, fought in both Vietnam and Desert Storm and earned a Purple Heart, as well as other commendations.

Sentencing will be set for a later date.

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