Rochester man accused of making false military ID cards

A man who told his employer and his landlord that he was a Navy officer, and wore full dress naval uniforms at area veterans events, is facing federal charges.

Mark Allen Kelly, 54, of Rochester was indicted on charges of producing false military identification cards and making false statements to federal agents, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr.'s office said in a news release. Each charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who is handling the case, said that according to the indictment, Kelly wore uniforms with medals at events including a memorial for a Marine killed in Afghanistan, at which he presented a flag to the Marine's parents.

A criminal complaint alleges he once portrayed himself as a commander, while representing Frontier Communications at a ceremony for a Marine killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

When questioned, he presented an authentic-looking but fraudulent military ID card, Gestring said.

During an investigation by Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents, he is accused of making several false statements. Investigators found several false military ID cards in various states of production at Kelly's workplace.

Kelly served in the Navy between 1978 and 1981 and was dishonorably discharged for misconduct, the criminal complaint states. His rank was E1, the Navy's lowest.

Kelly will be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman.