A Long Island man accused of posing as a decorated combat veteran saw the alleged scheme unravel this week after prosecutors said he was actually discharged from the military for misconduct and later took more than $81,000 from a veterans organization.
David Agtsteribbe, 58, allegedly presented himself as a wounded war hero and falsely claimed he had received a Purple Heart.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said he was arrested two days before Veterans Day.
Prosecutors said Agtsteribbe served for about a year before being discharged as a private in 1988. He had been court-martialed and pleaded guilty in 1987 to stealing money from another service member.
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Prosecutors said David Agtsteribbe falsely presented himself as a decorated war hero before allegedly taking $81,000 from a veterans’ organization. (David Agtsteribbe/Facebook)
Authorities allege that Agtsteribbe modified his military discharge papers to make his service history appear honorable. Those documents allegedly helped him obtain a finance officer role at a local veterans group, where prosecutors said he diverted organizational funds for personal use.
“There is something particularly despicable about fabricating a military record and claiming honors you have never earned,” District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said.
“This defendant allegedly took that disgraceful deception even further. He is accused of falsely portraying himself as a war hero, infiltrating an organization for those who actually served this country and then betraying their trust by stealing their money. Our veterans earned their honors through sacrifice and service. This defendant allegedly exploited those sacrifices for his own selfish gain. It is a shameful abuse of trust, and one that we will prosecute.”
Military decorations prosecutors described as “fake” were displayed during a news conference on the charges against David Agtsteribbe. (Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office)
According to the criminal complaint, Agtsteribbe joined the Hampton Bays American Legion in 2021 after allegedly falsifying his discharge paperwork to meet the group’s membership requirements.
The allegedly altered records also listed a higher retirement status, which prosecutors said may have enabled him to receive free health care and other benefits.
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Beginning in 2022, Agtsteribbe allegedly moved money from the organization’s accounts into his personal checking account. Prosecutors said the funds paid for Amazon purchases, household bills, a private business membership, streaming subscriptions, travel, leisure activities, clothing and accessories.
The alleged theft totaled $81,798.31, according to prosecutors.
Authorities also said Agtsteribbe had sought and obtained memberships in other veterans groups as far back as 2019, including the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
In 2023 and 2024, he allegedly provided forged discharge papers to the Town of Southampton in an effort to avoid a $50 resident permit fee and secure a handicap parking permit.
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Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney called the alleged military honors “fake, fake, fake” while detailing the case against Agtsteribbe. (Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office)
Some of the allegedly falsified documents went even further, identifying him as a retired lieutenant colonel, despite his actual discharge from the military as a private.
Agtsteribbe faces charges of second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, two counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and three counts of first-degree falsifying business records.
A conviction on the top charge could result in a sentence of 25 years to life because prosecutors say he is a persistent felony offender.
Prosecutors sought significant bail, pointing to his criminal history and the seriousness of the allegations. Their request included $100,000 cash, a $200,000 secured bond or a $1 million partially secured surety bond to help ensure he returns to court.
Agtsteribbe is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 13, 2026.