Cart
0
Fake Prisoner of War Hero Reportedly Steals $81,000 From Veterans Group
A Long Island man built a reputation around an extraordinary military story. Prosecutors say the story was false, and that he later stole more than $81,000 from the veteran’s organization that trusted him with its finances.
A display of military medals and honors that Suffolk County prosecutors said were fraudulent was shown during a news conference announcing charges against David Agtsteribbe, (Suffolk County District Attorney's Office)
For years, David Agtsteribbe presented himself as a decorated combat veteran, a Purple Heart recipient and a former prisoner of war.
According to Suffolk County prosecutors, much of that story was fabricated.
Gear Spotlight- What Our Readers Are Picking Up
On November 10, 2026, prosecutors announced charges against Agtsteribbe, 58, of Hampton Bays, New York. They say he stole $81,798.31 from Hampton Bays American Legion Post 924 while serving as its finance officer and used falsified military records to build a false identity as a highly decorated veteran.
Prosecutors say Agtsteribbe's real military history was very different.
According to authorities, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1986. The following year, prosecutors say, he was court-martialed after pleading guilty to stealing money from another soldier. He later received a bad-conduct discharge and formally separated from the Army in 1988.
Decades later, prosecutors say, Agtsteribbe began using falsified military documents to portray himself as a decorated war hero.
In 2021, he joined the Hampton Bays American Legion and eventually became the post's finance officer, giving him access to the organization's money.
According to prosecutors, between September 2022 and August 2026, more than $81,000 was transferred from the American Legion's accounts into his personal checking account.
Investigators say the money was then spent on personal expenses, including Amazon purchases, electric and cable bills, streaming services, travel, clothing and other items.
Prosecutors also say Agtsteribbe submitted falsified military documents while claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and a former lieutenant colonel. According to authorities, he actually held the rank of private when he left the Army.
The scheme began to unravel when members of the American Legion reportedly discovered that money was missing and contacted authorities.
Agtsteribbe was arrested on November 9 and arraigned the following day. He has been charged with second-degree grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument, offering a false instrument for filing and falsifying business records.
He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail. He is due back in court on November 13.
If convicted, he could face significant prison time. Some reports have cited a possible maximum sentence of 25 years to life, depending on how the court applies New York's persistent felony offender provisions.
For the veterans at Hampton Bays American Legion Post 924, the case carries a particularly bitter irony.
According to prosecutors, a man who built his reputation around claims of military sacrifice was eventually entrusted with the finances of an organization created to serve veterans.
Now, the same military story that helped him gain that trust is at the center of a criminal case.
Editor’s Note: The details about Agtsteribbe's military record, the alleged falsified documents and the theft come from Suffolk County prosecutors and court reporting. Agtsteribbe has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
