Michel Duane Dyson, a 46-year-old resident of Tallahassee, Florida, has pleaded guilty in federal court to theft of government funds after admitting to falsely claiming he was a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran to receive Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
According to court records, Dyson applied for VA benefits in April 2022 by stating he had served actively in the U.S. Army and had received both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. Based on these claims, from April 2022 through June 2025, Dyson obtained medical treatment valued at about $114,527 through VA facilities or contracted providers. In May 2025, he tried to obtain additional VA housing benefits before his deception was discovered. Investigators also found that Dyson attempted a similar scheme in Boston, Massachusetts in 2013 but was denied.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “The brave men and women who served in our military deserve our gratitude, admiration, and support, and VA benefits are reserved exclusively for them based upon their selfless service to this country. I am proud of this successful prosecution by my office to deliver accountability and justice for this despicable defendant’s selfish acts of stolen valor and fraudulent misrepresentations of military service that enabled him to illegally obtain VA benefits intended for our nation’s heroes.”
Dyson could face up to ten years in prison. Sentencing is set for April 30, 2026 at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Judge Robert Hinkle.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 offices nationwide responsible for federal litigation under the direction of the Attorney General. More information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website and further details about the office are available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
