Authorities in southeast Missouri have arrested 52-year-old William J. Clark for allegedly violating Missouri’s Stolen Valor Act, a crime that has left the community outraged. Clark is now facing forgery charges after investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of deception involving fake military honors, fraudulent documents, and impersonation.
The investigation began on March 1, when officials at VFW Post 7183 in Lilbourn grew suspicious of a membership application submitted by Clark. His paperwork claimed he had received prestigious military awards, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. However, further investigation revealed that Clark had never served in the military at all.
Adding to the shocking discovery, authorities found that Clark has a long history of criminal activity, including federal prosecution for impersonating a federal officer. On March 11, investigators executed a search warrant at his hotel room in Malden, where they uncovered a stash of counterfeit military certificates, medals, and uniforms. They also discovered forged documents falsely claiming he was an officer with an American Legion Post in Texas, using fake flyers to solicit donations for a non-existent JROTC program.
Clark was arrested and transported to the Stoddard County Jail, where he awaits trial. Law enforcement officials are now investigating whether Clark has defrauded others in similar scams.
New Madrid County Sheriff Joey Higgerson condemned Clark’s actions, stating, “There is no group of people in our society that we owe a greater debt than our military veterans. Crimes like these erode public trust and make it harder for real veterans to receive the support they deserve.”
Authorities urge anyone who may have had dealings with Clark or suspects fraudulent activity to contact local law enforcement immediately.
