Former soldier admits to posing as Army sergeant

TOLEDO, Ohio — An Ohio man previously discharged from the military for possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to posing as an Army sergeant during Toledo's water crisis last year.

Twenty-seven-year-old Richard Newberry of Toledo pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday.

Prosecutors say Newberry identified himself as an Army sergeant, wore a camouflage uniform and handed out bottled water in Toledo last August when algae-induced toxins from Lake Erie contaminated the drinking water for 400,000 people in parts of Ohio and Michigan.

The Blade newspaper reports Newberry was convicted in 2011 of possessing child pornography, leading to his discharge from the Army.

He pleaded guilty to false personation of an officer, dealing in firearms without a license, possessing a firearm despite his felony conviction and failing to register as a sex offender.

In Other News

Navy seeks to develop reusable menstrual underwear for women sailors

The project reflects the latest move to help women servicemembers deal with the so-called "Pink Tax."

House lawmakers cut back public hearings on annual defense bill

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 13, 2024.

Marine combat instructors can avoid recruiting or drill instructor duty

The Marine Corps has made the combat instructor job a special duty assignment once more.

Navy IDs sailor who died during Middle East deployment

Chief Hospital Corpsman Daniel D. McCracken died during a non-combat related incident on May 6.

A Marine combat instructor shielded his student from a grenade with his body — and survived

When then-Sgt. Brett Meil saw a student inadvertently activate a grenade during infantry training, he covered him with his body and prepared to die.

Load More