Fake Army Ranger Could Face Real Prison Time After Ruse To Get Black Friday Deal

A fake Army ranger could be facing real prison time after he went to a Pennsylvania mall wearing fatigues and posing as a member of a special operations unit in an attempt to get some Black Friday deals.

The fake Ranger was caught on tape by a real member of the 101st Airborne Division, Army Sgt. Ryan Berk, who videotaped the man’s Black Friday ruse. The video, which gained 2.1 million views, also caught the attention of Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, who said he will write to U.S. Attorney Zane Memeger to show what he believes is evidence of a federal crime.

It is against federal law for a person to fraudulently portray him or herself as a recipient of a military decoration or medal in order to obtain money or some other kind of benefit. It is also against Pennsylvania law to falsely wear a military or police uniform to obtain a profit or solicit business.

Col. Richard Nurnberg, the executive director of the National Infantry Association, said he looked into the fake Army ranger and found that the man’s name did not appear in the Army’s database.

“Looking at him, I’m sure he’s not,” he added.

The viral video showed a tense exchange between Berk and a pudgy man claiming he was a staff sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

“I’m what’s called a TAC-1,” the alleged Army ranger says. “All I do is I go out on missions.”

Berk then unleashed a series of questions that seemed to fluster the fake Army ranger.

“Where is your combat patch at?” Berk asks.

“I gave it to a little kid over there,” he replies.

The fake Army ranger also had no answer as to why an American flag patch was so low on his shoulder.

“You got me on that one, bud,” the man replies.

“Stolen valor at its finest. Why don’t you just admit that you’re a phony?” Berk said to the man while filming.

Newspapers have withheld the name of the fake Army ranger because he has not been charged with a crime.