Massachusetts Man Arrested for Decades-Long Impersonation of Army Veteran

A Massachusetts man faces charges for allegedly impersonating an Army veteran for over three decades, securing tens of thousands of dollars in VA medical care and other benefits. James D. Sommers was apprehended on Thursday, March 5, at a transitional housing facility for veterans, where he had been residing under false pretenses. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts charged Sommers with one count of making false statements, detailing a scheme that reportedly spanned 32 years.

Sommers allegedly began impersonating an honorable Army veteran, who served from 1979 to 1982, in 1994. This deception allowed him to receive approximately $30,000 in VA medical care and medication across multiple facilities, including a visit to the VA Medical Center in Northampton, Mass., as recently as February 20. Additionally, he reportedly collected several thousand dollars in Social Security benefits using the veteran's identity.

The investigation into this extensive fraud was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the VA’s Office of Inspector General. While the victim's name remains undisclosed, authorities have not clarified whether Sommers knew the individual he allegedly impersonated or the victim's current whereabouts. The arrest highlights the serious consequences for individuals who falsely claim military service to exploit veteran support systems.