SHOULD SWISHER ESCAPE JUSTICE?
November 17th 2008
Expose’ On
Ex-marine Elven Joe Swisher (from northern Idaho), convicted of Stolen Valor and various felonies, is asking for leniency from the sentencing court. For several years, he paraded as a war hero and wore coveted medals to which he was not entitled. His sentencing has been postponed five times.
Swisher did, in fact, serve in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1954 to 1957 (technically for six months after Korean War hostilities had ended). Swisher claimed he had been injured during combat while seeking the release of POWs. He is now in his early 70s and pleads for leniency from the sentencing judge after having lied to the VA to get hundreds of thousands in benefits. The Marine Corps News reported that Swisher was charged and later convicted with “wearing unauthorized military medals, theft of government funds and … making false statements.… He could face up to 20 years and 6 months in prison along with a $755,000 fine….”
Also he defrauded, over a period of time, the VA out of $2,500 per month and received an expensive medical operation and a large lump sum of money, to which he was not entitled. Veterans are not pleased to think that Federal Probation Officer Doug Grove wants to let Swisher have home detention for 15 months after what he has done.
According to Former Idaho County Prosecutor, Wesley Hoyt, “Other people, in addition to veterans, have been ‘burned’ by Swisher and are preparing letters and signing petitions protesting any leniency. The community is shocked that Swisher has been able to get away with so much over the years, and they want to see justice done….”
“One woman told me,” Mr. Hoyt said, “He gets away with everything … in her opinion Swisher is a liar, a cheat and a master manipulator who is extremely convincing. In the notorious trial and conviction of David Hinkson, a former Viet Nam War era Navy veteran and founder of WaterOz (a mineral manufacturing company in Idaho), it was Swisher’s testimony alone that put Hinkson away for 33 years in solitary confinement.
Hinkson had accused Swisher of lying, blackmail, fraud and sabotage of his business, but Swisher’s status as a “War Hero,” based on his fictional military accounts and decorations, made his perjured testimony in court against Hinkson invincible. Hardly anyone could believe that a decorated combat veteran, who risked his life to save POWs, would lie to a jury in court.
Because there is reluctance by the Probation Department to recommend prison time, Swisher is seeking home detention with an ankle bracelet. Yet, many are asking why his crimes do not demand proper and serious punishment.For a memorandum providing background to the Swisher pretext click here.
Roland's Opinion
This is a Letter I sent to the United State Marine Corps.
Dear Sir:
The enclosed Memorandum and attachments relate to a former Marine PFC who has been currently parading around as a war-hero. He has brought dishonor on the proud marines who have, in fact, served their Nation honorably. For such a man to be merely scolded for dishonoring the truly courageous marines who have earned the respect of their Nation must not go unchallenged. It would be a travesty. [For a memorandum providing background to the Swisher pretext click here].
Open Letter
A friend of mine, former Colorado State Senator “Arch” Decker (now deceased), answered a question I put to him. “How many innocent people do you think are wrongfully imprisoned in the United States? He estimated about 40 to 50 percent.
That may sound excessive, but let’s consider this scenario. An innocent man or woman can be accused of a crime; law enforcement can threaten the individual with trumped up charges, but if that person refuses to accept guilt, he/she may spend many years behind bars. The cost can be devastating to the family. So the poor soul plea bargains; he gains a police record, shame and dishonor.
But the potential sentence is drastically reduced by cooperating. An example is a minister named Malichi Z. York. The judge sentenced him to 130 years in super-max prison because he would not willing serve 15 years behind bars. The accuser recanted her testimony, but the judge upheld the system (Once convicted, you must go through the costly process to regain your freedom–even though all involved know you’re innocent).
There are a handful of American citizens who would, in fact, stand up and fight tyranny – precious few. But unless we take an interest in our fellow man or woman, we may ourselves, someday, see the world through prison bars.
Roland