A YouTube video of an apparently fake U.S. Army Ranger at a Pennsylvania shopping mall has gone viral with more than 2.6 million online views and has led to an investigation by authorities and questions from a Congressman.
Army Sgt. Ryan Berk, 26, told the
Morning Call he confronted the man in the Oxford Valley Mall near Langhorne last Friday, suspecting the man was not legitimate, and then posted a video of their conversation online.
Berk, who said he served in the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan in 2010-11, told
Fox News on Tuesday he first overheard a conversation the man had with a child and then noticed that small things about him were out of place – such as his boots were not tucked while his flag patch and badges were not in the correct positions.
"I noticed his combat infantryman's badge, he had two stars above it, which would indicate that he served in three different wars which is almost physically impossible for his age," said Berk, adding he believes others are posing as military veterans as well.
"There's more than just this guy walking around, posing as service members, claiming they've sacrificed as much as some of my friends have," said Berk. "When it's seen, it needs to be called out and these guys need to be prosecuted."
U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, a Republican who represents Bucks County in Pennsylvania, contacted U.S. Attorney Zane Memeger Monday about Berk's video and the possible violation of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, reported the Morning Call.
The act makes falsely portraying military veteran with any specified military decorations or medals with the intent to obtain money, property or other tangible benefit a federal crime.
Middletown Township police Chief Joseph Bartorilla told the newspaper that police were trying to determine if the man attempted to receive benefits by the deception.
Berk told the Morning Call he is currently studying criminal justice at Temple University. He said he received a Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan after he was hit in the face and head with shrapnel in 2010.
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