Former Massena man sentenced to probation for violating Stolen Valor Act | Top Stories

Prosecutors said that as part of his guilty plea on Feb. 29, Montour admitted that he falsely altered his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Form DD-214, to reflect he received an honorable discharge from the US Air Force and that he earned numerous decorations, medals, badges, citations or campaign ribbons , including the Purple Heart.

Military records show, however, that Montour received a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force in 2001 and was only awarded the Air Force Training Ribbon during his time in service. He is not a Purple Heart recipient. Montour also admitted that he used his altered Form DD-214 to purchase Purple Heart Recipient license plates from the state Department of Motor Vehicles, which he then affixed to his vehicle.

Montour also appeared at veterans' events wearing an Air Force uniform belonging to a senior non-commissioned officer, a rank he did not achieve in the Air Force, and displaying a ribbon stack depicting many decorations, medals, badges, citations or campaign ribbons that he did not earn, including the Purple Heart.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas G. Collyer prosecuted the case.