By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

Alleged U.S. Military imposter facing criminal charges

Mar 1, 2018 | 11:07 AM

A man accused of posing as a U.S. military veteran during Remembrance Day ceremonies in Red Deer last year is now facing criminal charges.

Peter Toth, 58, faces one count under Section 419 of the Criminal Code of Canada for unlawful use of military uniforms or certificates. The case is scheduled for a brief appearance in Red Deer court tomorrow.

Toth is accused of impersonating a U.S. Military veteran by wearing attire and medals he did not actually earn to Remembrance Day ceremonies at St. Francis of Assisi Middle School, G.W. Smith Elementary and Aspen Heights Elementary last November.

Stolen Valour Canada contacted rdnewsNOW with their concerns that Toth was not as authentic as he was letting on. The group pointed out several flaws with the uniform he was wearing in pictures from the ceremonies, including wearing unauthorized camouflage and having pins and rank badges in wrong places.

“Based on our concerns, we contacted USMC experts, and they agree that this individual was likely never a Marine, and he is portraying one very poorly,” the group said at the time.

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According to Stolen Valour, Toth claimed to have served in the U.S. Military in Kandahar province and in Hezbollah, which is actually a political party in Lebanon considered by several nations to be a terrorist organization.

Toth alleged he was awarded a Purple Heart in 2005 after being shot in Afghanistan. However, Stolen Valour says he previously claimed to have retired from the USMC in 1985.

Red Deer RCMP confirm they began their investigation into the allegations against Toth on Nov. 27, 2017, eventually leading to the single count against him.