TYLER, Texas (Tribune News Service) — A Tyler man has pleaded responsible to federal fees within the Japanese District of Texas, introduced U.S. Legal professional Brit Featherston.
Derek Robert Hamm, 38, pleaded responsible to wire fraud, cash laundering, violating the Stolen Valor Act, utilizing a fraudulent army discharge certificates, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it unlawful to fraudulently put on medals, embellish rank, or make false claims of army service to acquire cash, employment, property, or another tangible profit. As a part of the plea settlement, Hamm agreed to pay restitution of at the least $2.3 million and forfeiture of the proceeds of his felony conduct, together with jewellery, cars, and money proceeds within the quantity of $1,675,000.
In response to court docket paperwork, Hamm invented a persona of being a rich and profitable struggle hero. Hamm held himself out to be a former member of the Army Special Forces who had served a number of excursions of obligation in Iraq, Afghanistan, and different international locations. He claimed to have been awarded a Purple Coronary heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Distinguished Service Cross for his service.
Hamm additionally represented that he was associated to Harold Hamm, the billionaire oilman in Oklahoma, which he claimed gave him entry to monetary assets and oil trade experience. By this larger-than-life persona, Hamm created an intensive community of pals who launched him to potential buyers. These buyers believed Hamm’s claims and invested in what they anticipated to be worthwhile ventures spearheaded by a reliable and succesful entrepreneur.
In actuality, Derek Hamm was nothing of the kind. Hamm was not a embellished struggle hero. He was no oil trade tycoon. He was not associated to Harold Hamm. He didn’t spend buyers’ funds on the most recent oil trade know-how or new oil wells. Inside hours of receiving buyers’ funds, Hamm spent their cash on himself and his household, together with costly jewellery, automobiles and holidays to costly resorts on non-public constitution planes. All of the whereas, Hamm represented to buyers that he had invested their cash in profitable oil trade tasks. Due to the Hamm struggle hero persona, the buyers trusted Hamm whilst their invested funds failed to provide any returns.
“Each time individuals invent achievements and declare valor for issues performed by others, they tarnish the legacy and repair of these women and men who’ve made actual sacrifices in service to this nation,” Featherston stated. “That’s very true when somebody makes use of the valor of such service to finally steal from individuals. Hamm’s repugnant actions are an insult to true American heroes who obtained actual recognition for his or her actual achievements.”
Hamm additionally pleaded responsible to being a prohibited particular person in possession of firearms and ammunition. Hamm was convicted in Smith County in 2020 for theft of property, a state felony. As a felon, Hamm is prohibited by federal legislation from proudly owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. In response to court docket paperwork, Hamm was in possession of dozens of firearms, together with a number of rifles with high-capacity magazines, and ammunition for these firearms.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Hamm with federal violations on January 20, 2022. He faces as much as 20 years in federal jail. A sentencing listening to will probably be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Workplace.
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