Tennessee woman’s fake Marine story for profit ends in stolen valor sentence

A Tennessee woman was sentenced to 16 months in prison after claiming to be a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

Amanda Kate Walker Bass, 36, pleaded guilty in February to one count of wire fraud and one count of fraudulent use of military medals after information provided in court showed she falsely claimed to be a decorated Marine veteran and sole survivor of an Afghanistan ambush that left her seriously wounded.

“Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces represent the very best ideals of service and sacrifice for our nation, and our office will always protect and vindicate their interests,” said D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

Bass used a fabricated story to solicit GoFundMe donations, free labor and media coverage, including a 2021 feature in The Daily Memphian titled “Disabled, legally blind veteran now dealer of luxury goods.”

“Fraudulently claiming military service or medals for unjust personal enrichment not only victimizes our military heroes, but also preys upon the trust that citizens have in our great veterans. We are pleased to impose a real consequence on this faker and thief,” Dunavant said.

U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris imposed Bass’ prison sentence for executing a scheme to defraud, to be followed by three years of supervised release.