A 34-year-old Army veteran was found guilty of making a false statement about a combat deployment, according to the Department of Justice.
Cameo Williams, of Denver, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 24, 2016, and the five-day jury trial began on June 12. Williams was found guilty on Monday, according to the Justice Department's news release.
Williams spent years claiming he had post-traumatic stress from a combat deployment, the release said. Because of this, he was receiving disability compensation from the Veterans Affairs Department.
The veteran, however, had served in the Army for a little more than two years — without deploying overseas — before he was discharged for misconduct.
Williams told the VA that the Army had accidentally left out the deployment on his discharge paperwork.
The Army confirmed to Army Times that the former private had no deployments during his time as an infantryman between August 2006 and December 2008.
His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
Williams' personnel file, presented as evidence during the trial, showed that he did not receive combat pay and also never had the medical screenings and immunizations required to deploy.
His records revealed that he attended medical appointments in Washington state during the time he said he was deployed, according to the DOJ release.
Two soldiers from his unit testified that no one from their unit deployed during the time Williams claimed he was overseas, the release said.
Williams faces up to five years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine, according to the DOJ.
Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
