David Agtsteribbe: Fake War Hero Accused of Stealing $81K From Veterans

David Agtsteribbe, a 58-year-old Hampton Bays man on Long Island, New York, was arrested on November 9, 2026, after prosecutors accused him of fabricating an extensive military service record and stealing $81,798.31 from a local American Legion post. According to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Agtsteribbe falsely portrayed himself as a decorated combat veteran, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, a former prisoner of war, a Green Beret and a retired lieutenant colonel. Investigators allege that he used altered military discharge documents to gain membership in veterans' organizations and eventually become the finance officer of Hampton Bays American Legion Post 924. Prosecutors say he subsequently diverted organizational funds into his personal checking account between September 2022 and August 2026. His actual Army record showed that he enlisted in 1986, was court-martialed in 1987 for stealing money from another soldier and received a bad-conduct discharge before leaving the military in 1988.

David Agtsteribbe Quick Facts

Who Is David Agtsteribbe?

David Agtsteribbe is a 58-year-old Long Island resident accused of inventing an elaborate military background to gain recognition, benefits and financial access within veterans' organizations.

According to Suffolk County prosecutors, he presented himself as a decorated combat veteran who had participated in dangerous military operations, sustained combat injuries and served as a prisoner of war.

He allegedly claimed to have served for more than three decades, retired as a lieutenant colonel and received numerous military decorations, including two Purple Hearts.

However, investigators say his actual military history was dramatically different.

Army records reportedly show that Agtsteribbe served as a private after enlisting in 1986. He was court-martialed the following year after pleading guilty to stealing money from another soldier.

He received five months of confinement and a bad-conduct discharge, formally separating from the Army in 1988.

Prosecutors allege that he subsequently used fabricated military credentials to obtain membership in veterans' organizations and eventually secured a financial leadership position at the Hampton Bays American Legion.

Did David Agtsteribbe Really Receive a Purple Heart?

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Agtsteribbe falsely claimed to have received two Purple Hearts for combat injuries sustained during military operations.

One alleged story involved an operation with the elite Combat Applications Group in Panama.

He reportedly claimed that he received another Purple Heart after being wounded while protecting a United States senator in Iraq.

Investigators say neither award was supported by his actual military service record.

The Purple Heart is a military decoration awarded to members of the US armed forces who are wounded or killed as a result of enemy action.

By allegedly claiming the award without earning it, prosecutors say Agtsteribbe misrepresented the sacrifices associated with military service.

During a November 10 press conference, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney emphasized the significance of the decoration:

"The price for a Purple Heart is someone's blood, sweat and tears. That's what it costs for an actual person to win a Purple Heart. It cost him nothing but lies."

He Allegedly Pretended to Be a Green Beret and Prisoner of War

The alleged deception extended beyond claims of receiving military decorations.

Prosecutors say Agtsteribbe also portrayed himself as a Green Beret and former prisoner of war.

He allegedly claimed to have participated in combat operations and accumulated an extensive record of military honors.

One particularly striking contradiction involved his alleged prisoner-of-war story.

According to District Attorney Raymond Tierney, during the period in which Agtsteribbe claimed to have been held as a prisoner of war, he was actually incarcerated in upstate New York following a grand larceny conviction.

Investigators cited this discrepancy as evidence of the alleged fabrication of his military history.

The prosecution says his invented background was designed to establish credibility among veterans, community organizations and government officials.

What Was David Agtsteribbe's Actual Military Record?

According to prosecutors, Agtsteribbe enlisted in the United States Army in 1986.

In 1987, while serving as a private, he was court-martialed after pleading guilty to stealing money from another soldier.

He received a sentence of five months' confinement and a bad-conduct discharge.

His formal separation from the military took place in 1988.

This record directly contradicted the alleged military career he presented to veterans' organizations and local officials.

It is important to distinguish a bad-conduct discharge from a dishonorable discharge. Both are punitive military discharges, but they are separate classifications under military law.

How Did He Allegedly Fake His Military Records?

Investigators say Agtsteribbe repeatedly submitted altered military documents to support his claims.

One of the central pieces of evidence was an altered DD Form 214, officially known as the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

The document is used to record a service member's military history, including dates of service, rank, military qualifications and discharge characterization.

According to prosecutors, Agtsteribbe altered his actual DD Form 214 to make it appear that he had:

• Received an honorable discharge.
• Been wounded in combat.
• Retired at the rank of Specialist Four, or SP4/E4.
• Received a Purple Heart.
• Completed a substantially longer military career.

His actual military records identified him as a private who received a bad-conduct discharge.

Prosecutors say the falsified documentation enabled him to obtain memberships, military-related recognition and certain benefits for which he was allegedly ineligible.

How Did David Agtsteribbe Join the American Legion?

According to the investigation, Agtsteribbe joined Hampton Bays American Legion Hand-Aldrich Post 924 in 2021.

Prosecutors allege that he used fabricated military credentials to establish eligibility for membership.

His actual bad-conduct discharge made him ineligible for membership under the organization's applicable requirements, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

After joining, Agtsteribbe eventually became the organization's finance officer.

The position gave him responsibility for financial matters and access to the organization's funds.

Prosecutors say the alleged deception allowed him to gain the trust of members who believed he was an experienced and decorated combat veteran.

The American Legion is a nationwide veterans' organization that supports former service members, active-duty military personnel and their families through advocacy, community programs and other services.

David Agtsteribbe Accused of Stealing $81,798 From Veterans

The most serious financial allegation involves the theft of $81,798.31 from Hampton Bays American Legion Post 924.

According to prosecutors, the alleged theft occurred between September 2022 and August 2026, while Agtsteribbe was serving as the organization's finance officer.

Investigators say he transferred money belonging to the American Legion into his personal checking account and used the funds for private expenses.

The alleged personal spending included:

• Amazon purchases.
• Residential electricity bills.
• Cable television and streaming subscriptions.
• Travel and leisure activities.
• Clothing and accessories.
• A private business-membership program.
• Other personal purchases and household expenses.

Prosecutors calculated the alleged financial loss at $81,798.31.

The money was intended to support the organization's operations and activities benefiting veterans.

Investigators say the alleged misuse of funds continued for nearly four years before members noticed discrepancies in the organization's finances.

How Was the Alleged Theft Discovered?

The investigation reportedly began after members of Hampton Bays American Legion noticed missing money and irregularities in the organization's financial records.

As finance officer, Agtsteribbe had access to the organization's accounts and financial transactions.

Members became concerned when the money available to the organization did not match their expectations.

They subsequently contacted the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office and Southampton Town Police.

The investigation expanded to include the Suffolk County District Attorney's Public Corruption Squad.

Investigators examined financial transactions, military documents and representations Agtsteribbe had allegedly made to veterans' groups and government offices.

The investigation eventually uncovered what prosecutors described as a prolonged scheme involving fabricated military credentials and the diversion of organizational funds.

He Allegedly Used Fake Military Credentials to Obtain Government Benefits

The alleged deception also extended to dealings with local government officials.

In 2023, Agtsteribbe allegedly submitted a falsified DD Form 214 to the Town of Southampton to avoid paying a $50 resident permit fee.

In 2024, he reportedly submitted multiple letters to the Southampton Town Clerk's Office seeking handicap parking permits for American Legion vehicles.

In those letters, he allegedly described himself as a combat-wounded Army veteran, a Purple Heart recipient and a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

He also reportedly signed one of the letters using the title of retired lieutenant colonel.

According to prosecutors, his actual Army rank when he left the service was private.

Investigators say the alleged falsification helped him obtain benefits and privileges reserved for qualifying veterans.

Other Veterans' Organizations and Public Recognition

Prosecutors say Agtsteribbe had been applying for membership in veterans' organizations using falsified military documentation since at least 2019.

One organization specifically identified in the investigation was the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

He also reportedly claimed membership in other veterans' groups, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Cootie and Forty and Eight.

His alleged military identity also brought him public recognition.

In 2023, Brookhaven Town reportedly recognized him with a proclamation declaring November 5 as Lieutenant Colonel Agtsteribbe Day.

In 2024, he was also honored with a hometown hero banner through local community recognition.

These recognitions illustrate how his alleged claims were accepted in public settings before the criminal investigation exposed discrepancies in his military records.

Riverhead News-Review also reported that Agtsteribbe was the president and founder of Epic Payment Solutions.

Prosecutors allege that he used his claimed military background to promote personal business interests and gain additional recognition.

When Was David Agtsteribbe Arrested?

Southampton Town Police arrested Agtsteribbe on November 9, 2026, two days before Veterans Day.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office announced the charges on November 10.

He was arraigned that day before Southampton Town Justice Karen M. Sartain.

Agtsteribbe pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded without bail.

He is represented by the Legal Aid Society, whose attorney declined to comment on the allegations in initial media reports.

The timing of the arrest, immediately before Veterans Day, brought additional attention to the case because the alleged conduct involved fabricated military honors and money belonging to a veterans' organization.

What Charges Does David Agtsteribbe Face?

Agtsteribbe faces seven felony counts, according to reporting based on the Suffolk County District Attorney's announcement.

The grand larceny charge concerns the alleged theft of more than $50,000 from the American Legion.

The forgery and false-filing allegations relate to the military documents and other paperwork he allegedly submitted to obtain benefits and privileges.

The business-record charges concern alleged falsification of organizational financial records.

Prosecutors said he faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count, taking his prior criminal history into account.

This is a potential legal consequence cited by prosecutors, not a sentence that has been imposed by the court.

David Agtsteribbe's Previous Criminal History

Agtsteribbe's alleged military deception is not the only issue involving his criminal background.

His 1987 Army court-martial followed a guilty plea to stealing money from another soldier.

Riverhead News-Review and NBC New York also reported that prosecutors cited previous grand larceny convictions and prior incarceration when discussing the potential sentencing consequences in the current case.

These earlier records are relevant to the prosecution's account of his background and the potential legal consequences if he is convicted.

However, the present charges must still be established independently through the criminal justice process.

What Did the Suffolk County District Attorney Say?

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney strongly criticized the alleged fabrication of military service and the subsequent financial misconduct.

He argued that the alleged conduct was particularly offensive because it involved exploiting the trust of people who had actually served in the armed forces.

During the November 10 announcement, Tierney said:

"There is something particularly despicable about fabricating a military record and claiming honors you have never earned."

He also said Agtsteribbe allegedly used his fabricated identity to infiltrate an organization for people who had genuinely served their country before betraying their trust by taking its money.

Tierney described the alleged scheme as an abuse of the sacrifices made by American veterans.

Why Is the David Agtsteribbe Case Called Stolen Valor?

The expression "stolen valor" is commonly used to describe falsely claiming military service, honors or decorations to obtain recognition, financial benefits or other advantages.

The term is especially relevant to the allegations against Agtsteribbe because prosecutors say he falsely presented himself as a decorated combat veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts.

They further allege that he used those claims to obtain memberships, public recognition and a financial leadership position within the American Legion.

The case also involves alleged criminal conduct beyond simply making false statements about military service, including forgery, false filings and the theft of organizational funds.

Under US law, certain false claims about military decorations can carry criminal consequences when specific statutory requirements are met, particularly when made to obtain tangible benefits.

The current prosecution, however, is based on the specific felony charges filed in Suffolk County rather than the general label of stolen valor.

David Agtsteribbe Case Timeline

What Happens Next in the David Agtsteribbe Case?

The criminal proceedings will determine whether prosecutors can establish that Agtsteribbe falsified military records, fraudulently obtained benefits and stole money from the Hampton Bays American Legion.

The prosecution will need to present financial records, military documentation and other evidence supporting the seven felony counts.

The defense will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations and evidence presented in court.

The case could also prompt veterans' organizations to review their membership verification procedures and financial oversight systems.

For Hampton Bays American Legion Post 924, the immediate issue is the alleged loss of nearly $82,000 and the breach of trust involving someone who was responsible for its finances.

Conclusion

David Agtsteribbe, 58, is accused of fabricating an extensive military career, falsely claiming to be a decorated combat veteran and using altered military documents to obtain membership and benefits within veterans' organizations.

Prosecutors say he joined Hampton Bays American Legion Post 924 in 2021 and eventually became its finance officer, a position he allegedly exploited to steal $81,798.31 between September 2022 and August 2026.

His actual military record reportedly shows that he served as a private, was court-martialed in 1987 for stealing money from another soldier and received a bad-conduct discharge in 1988.

Investigators also say he used falsified military credentials to obtain government permits and public recognition, including honors that portrayed him as a retired lieutenant colonel and wounded combat veteran.

He was arrested on November 9, 2026, pleaded not guilty and was remanded without bail. His next court appearance was scheduled for November 13.

The case has drawn particular attention because the alleged fraud involved military honors and an organization dedicated to supporting genuine veterans. Agtsteribbe remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.