Raymond Nicholson III is a Customs & Border Patrol Agent at JFK Airport
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Levittown man was arrested today for allegedly submitting falsified Army deployment orders to the Levittown Fire Department, where he was a volunteer firefighter.
Raymond Nicholson III, 34, has been charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a D felony) and two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (an E felony). The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court September 25. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of 2-1/3 years to seven years in prison.
“This defendant allegedly fabricated military orders so he could receive pension credits afforded to volunteer firemen without putting in the required work,” DA Singas said. “Falsifying government documents to receive unearned benefits is a serious crime that victimizes taxpayers, and I am grateful to the Levittown Fire Department for bringing this matter to our office for prosecution.”
DA Singas said in February 2016 and February 2017, the defendant, who was a volunteer firefighter with the Levittown Fire Department, allegedly submitted two falsified orders to the department which said he had been called to active duty with the Army.
The first set of falsified orders, dated February 17, 2016, stated that he was to report to Andrews Air Force Base on February 25, 2016 for 364 days. The second set of falsified orders were dated February 26, 2017, and the orders stated that he was to report to the World Trade Center for 180 days on March 1, 2017.
As a result of an active duty order, Nicholson was exempt from meeting his fire call quota with the fire department but was still credited with time toward his pension.
A routine audit from the fire department brought attention to Nicholson’s military orders. Fire officials then contacted the Army, which confirmed that the defendant was not called to active duty on those dates.
An investigation by the NCDA was started on May 12 after an attorney for the Levittown Fire Department filed a complaint.
The defendant was honorably discharged from the Army in September of 2006 and then joined the Levittown Fire Department. He has resigned from the fire department and is currently employed as a Homeland Security/Customs & Border Patrol Agent at JFK Airport.
Senior Investigative Counsel Vickie Curran of DA Singas’ Government & Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting this case. Nicholson is represented by Brian Griffin, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.