A federal jury in Saint Paul has convicted Mikhail Robin Wicker, also known as Michael Robin Wicker, of Clay County, on charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, use of a false military discharge certificate, and fraudulent use of military medals. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
According to court documents and trial evidence, Wicker posed for years as a decorated U.S. Marine. He claimed to have served in Iraq in 2005 with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment and said he received the Purple Heart Medal and Prisoner of War Medal. Investigators found that none of these claims were true and that Wicker had never served in any branch of the armed forces.
Wicker used forged documents such as a counterfeit DD-214 form and fake medal certificates to support his claims. He submitted these materials to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which resulted in him receiving more than $140,000 in healthcare, disability, and education benefits from the VA.
During the one-week trial, Marine veterans from Lima Company testified that Wicker did not serve with them. Agents testified that searches across Marine Corps and Department of Defense databases showed no record of his service. Additional records indicated that during the time he claimed deployment to Iraq, Wicker was living in Michigan.
The government presented evidence at trial showing how Wicker exploited various VA programs through his false claims and forged documents to receive monetary benefits and free healthcare.
After several hours of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts against Wicker. A sentencing hearing before United States District Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan will be scheduled at a later date.
The investigation involved multiple agencies: the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General; Homeland Security Investigations; and Dilworth Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William C. Mattessich and Bradley M. Endicott prosecuted the case.
