He appeared before a Veterans Court after claiming military service.
A local judge ordered a Cascade County man to complete community service and pay a fine for lying to the court about serving in the military in order to gain entrance into the Veterans Treatment Court.
Ryan Patrick Morris was originally charged with burglary and theft for allegedly stealing a television from an off-limits storage area at his rental property in April.
District Judge Greg Pinski, who presides over Veterans Court, found Morris to be in contempt of court Wednesday for the false statements he made during the court during the progress of that case.
“You stated you served in the military,” Pinski said, “that has not been verified.”
Morris admitted he made false statements to the court.
“I’d like to offer my deepest apology to any veterans out there that I’ve disrespected,” Morris said.
According to court documents, Morris told the court he was a veteran during his first court appearance in May. He elaborated during a subsequent hearing on Sept. 28 before Pinski.
The judge read back Morris’ statements from hearing transcripts, verifying that Morris told the court, “I’ve done seven combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Records show Morris also said he suffered from combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder and had a hip replacement after being injured by an improvised explosive device, or IED. He indicated he wanted to take care of the charges against him as quickly as possible, according to records.[…]
The judge ordered Morris pay a $500 fine and serve 30 days in jail, though he suspended the jail time and ordered Morris serve 441 hours of community service with a veteran service organization within one year — one hour for each of the fallen Montanans he mentioned.
Pinski further ordered Morris to notify the organization that his performing community service because he committed an act of stolen valor.