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Updated: Man accused of posing as military veteran in court

Red Deer Advocate - 3/3/2018

Military veterans filled the front row in court on Friday as a Red Deer man accused of posing as a U.S. Marine went before a judge.

Peter Toth, 58, is facing three charges under a section of the Criminal Code dealing with unlawful use of military uniforms or certificates. Toth is charged with unlawfully wearing a uniform, military decorations and having in his possession a military identity card or other similar documents.

The maximum punishment for each charge is six months in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both.

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Toth was charged after attending a Nov. 8, 2017Remembrance Day ceremony at Red Deer's St. Francis of Assisi Middle School dressed in a camouflaged medal-bedecked U.S. Marine Corps uniform.

Toth was represented by duty counsel Jackie Fry who told Red Deer provincial court Judge Gordon Yake she was working on a resolution to the charges.

The case is coming back to court on March 21.

Five military veterans sat in the front row of the courtroom gallery as Toth came before the judge.

Among them was Gord Swaitkewich, of Stolen Valour – Canada, an organization that aims to expose people posing as military personnel and veterans.

Swaitkewich said outside court that veterans feel deeply about their service and take very seriously those who falsely try to join their ranks.

"A lot of people look at 419 as a victim-less crime," he said, referring to the section of the Criminal Code that deals with unlawfully using a uniform and similar offences.

"It is not a victim-less crime.

"Because of their lack of knowledge they give the general public a very wrong impression of what and why we do what we do and have done.

"If someone is going to be out there we want them to be truthful and accurate. (Impersonating a military member) is an insult to people who have made the ultimate sacrifice," said Swaitkewich, who retired as an infantry lieutenant in 2003 after 35 years of service.

"We don't want them to desecrate our brothers and sisters who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."

Swaitkewich said he is pleased with how the

"I am very pleased with the way the RCMP dealt with it and the Crown (prosecutor)," he said.

Swaitkewich said the crime is not uncommon. At any given time, Stolen Valour is investigating around eight military imposters, he said. Some have used their fake military background to defraud people and organizations that try to assist veterans.

pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter