Ft. Campbell Inspector Indicted For Impersonating A Dead Soldier

The federal indictment alleges James R. Jones stole the identities of soldiers deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year. Credit: 101st CAB via Flickr

An assistant inspector general at Fort Campbell is accused of taking out bank loans using the identities of deployed soldiers, including one who was killed in combat. Sgt. 1^st Class James R. Jones was indicted on federal fraud charges.

With his position in an office charged with rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, Jones had access to birth dates and Social Security numbers. In March, he allegedly used the personal information of deployed officers and one enlisted soldier who died in Afghanistan to apply for loans of varying amounts.

The indictment says he applied online with Fort Campbell Credit Union and Navy Federal, following up with phone calls impersonating his victims. Prosecutors say he successfully obtained two fraudulent loans.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says Jones also tried to cover up the scheme by deleting computer files and lying to investigators. The 42-year-old is charged with bank fraud and identity theft, which could carry a 30-year sentence. The cover-up could add even more time.