CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. (WFLA) — A Crystal River man was arrested after he faked service in the military and forged a DD 214 document, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials suspected Brandon Jess Cox of forging the document and submitting it to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles last week.
A DD 214 document is a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty in the military. The United States Department of Defense issues a DD 214 to service members after they retire, leave, or are discharged from active duty. These forms also help members access benefits and veteran organizations.
The MacDill Air Force Base Army Criminal Investigation Division searched Cox’s records but found no history of military service, the sheriff’s office said.
Cox was arrested on charges of knowingly making false statements during the application for a Florida driver’s license and violating probation. He was taken to the Citrus County Detention Facility.
Cox, who is also a registered sex offender, is being held without bond.