Amanda Kate Walker Bass, 36, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for defrauding others by falsely claiming to be a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, according to an announcement from United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant of the Western District of Tennessee on July 30.
Court information showed that Bass claimed she was a multiple-time deployed Marine who survived an enemy ambush in Afghanistan in 2010 and was seriously wounded. She used this fabricated story to solicit financial donations through a GoFundMe page and by sharing her narrative online and elsewhere, obtaining donations, free labor, and other benefits. In July 2021, The Daily Memphian published an article about her titled “Disabled, legally blind veteran now dealer of luxury goods.” Authorities confirmed that Bass never served in the armed forces.
On February 5, Bass pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of fraudulent use of military medals under the “Stolen Valor” law. U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris imposed a sentence of 16 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. A judgment regarding restitution will be entered at a later date. Victims who have not yet submitted claims are encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office; there is no parole in the federal system.
Dunavant said, “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. 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.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Assistant United States Attorney William C. Bateman III prosecuted with assistance from the State’s Twenty-Fifth Judicial District Attorney General’s Office.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes—including cases like this—and defending civil matters involving the United States government; it operates as one among 93 offices under the Department of Justice with locations in Memphis and Jackson serving its district through law enforcement partnerships and public outreach efforts, according to its official website.