TALLAHASSEE MAN POSING AS A DECORATED ARMY VETERAN PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - Michel Duane Dyson, 46, of Tallahassee, Florida, who misrepresented himself as a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran despite having never served in the military, pleaded guilty in federal court of theft of government funds for his fraudulent receipt of Veterans Affairs benefits. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea today.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "The brave men and women who served in our military deserve our gratitude, admiration, and support, and VA benefits are reserved exclusively for them based upon their selfless service to this country. I am proud of this successful prosecution by my office to deliver accountability and justice for this despicable defendant's selfish acts of stolen valor and fraudulent misrepresentations of military service that enabled him to illegally obtain VA benefits intended for our nation's heroes."

Court records show that in April 2022, Dyson fraudulently applied for VA benefits on the basis of his claims to have actively served in the U.S. Army, further claiming that he served in combat and been awarded both the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star medals. As a result of his fraudulent misrepresentations, from April 2022 until June 2025, Dyson was able to secure VA benefits in the form of medical treatment provided either through VA medical facilities or contracted medical providers, treatments valued at approximately $114,527. In May 2025, Dyson further attempted to fraudulently obtain additional VA housing benefits, at which point his deception was uncovered. Records in the investigation revealed that Dyson had similarly attempted to obtain VA benefits in the Boston, Massachusetts area in 2013, but had been denied.

Dyson faces up to ten years' imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for April 30, 2026, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida before United States District Judge Robert Hinkle.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin is prosecuting the case.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.