Fake Navy Officer's Scam Stopped by Arrest, Deputies Say

When Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies were called out to the Wawa on Bearss Avenue in regard to a solicitor who was being a little too aggressive for patrons’ comfort, they noticed right away something was amiss.

The man who was asking for donations on behalf of military veterans, deputies say, wore items on his Navy uniform that just didn’t fit standard military regulations.

Freemane Brown, 54, was standing on the 804 E. Bearss Ave. store’s east side when deputies approached him on Aug. 7, an email to media from the sheriff’ office stated.

“(He was) wearing a United States Navy uniform with a rank of Commander and 21 ribbons to include the Navy Cross and Silver Star, along with the Navy Seal Trident and Jump Wings,” the email explained.

Brown, deputies said, told them he was a former member of Seal Team Six and had traveled the world. Upon further questioning, however, “Brown admitted he was never a Navy Officer and never served as a Navy Seal.”

The store’s manager told deputies she did give Brown permission to stand outside and raise money because she thought he was a veteran.

After digging a little more, deputies found out Brown purchased the military items, including the uniform, at a local Army/Navy surplus store.

Brown was arrested at his home on Wednesday, Aug. 12, charged with misrepresenting a military uniform for solicitation. He remained behind bars Thursday morning in lieu of $2,000 bond.

Photos courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office