Crime

‘Supreme Commander:‘ Chinese National Recruits 100 ’Soldiers’ for Fake U.S. Army Unit

POMONA, Calif. (AP) — A Chinese national who said he was the “supreme commander” of a made-up Army unit orchestrated an elaborate scheme that attracted recruits and their money with the promise that it was a path to U.S. citizenship, authorities allege.

Yupeng Deng, who is accused of raking in hundreds of dollars from his recruits, is set to be arraigned Wednesday on more than a dozen charges.

Los Angeles County prosecutors said Deng, also known as David Deng, recruited 100 other Chinese nationals, primarily in Asian enclaves in the San Gabriel Valley, to join the “U.S. Army/Military Special Forces Reserve unit,” then gave them phony U.S. Army uniforms and military ID cards.

The 51-year-old El Monte man is accused of charging the recruits initiation fees ranging from $300 to $450, with renewal fees set at $120 a year.

The recruits were instructed to report to Deng’s office in Temple City, which was decorated to look like an official military recruiting center, to undergo military training and indoctrination, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said. They marched in a parade in Monterey Park and took a tour of the U.S. Midway Museum in San Diego, all in uniform.

Deng was charged with 13 counts of theft by false pretenses, manufacturing deceptive government documents and counterfeit of an official government seal. He faces more than eight years in state prison if convicted.

Deng was arrested by agents with the FBI and U.S. Department of Defense on a felony complaint filed Monday, Deputy District Attorney Richard Ceballos said. He was being held on $500,000 bail.

District attorney’s office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons did not know if Deng had retained an attorney.

Federal investigators began looking into Deng more than two years ago when they received reports from police who recovered counterfeit military IDs from some of Deng’s recruits during traffic stops, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

When Deng sent his recruits renewal forms for their bogus military IDs, some showed up at Army facilities to pay them, she said.

Deng also has been charged with one count of possession of child pornography stemming from a search warrant executed at his home. Authorities investigating the Army fraud case said they found the pornography on his home computer.

Deng was scheduled to be arraigned in that case Monday and faces up to three years in state prison if convicted.

Comments (52)

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  • shazam3
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 1:06pm

    It took them 2 years to get them????. Must have been tough to figure out whether they were real. One minute on the computer programs they have would settle it. I‘ll bet they didn’t put them on a plane for home……Votes you know………

    Report Post »  
  • Dockta
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 11:48am

    What’s the difference…we have a fake commander in chief.

    Report Post »  
  • wkan
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:59am

    Glad they caught this guy its a sad story for those whom he tricked and wanted to serve but now will never get too. I am more concerned though about why should we trust the FBI as it took over a year to grab this guy. All you have to do is look at Boston‘s FBI office you need a program to tell the Fed’s from the gangsters over the last 40 years. Its seems also no matter whose computer they go looking in they find child porn a slam dunk to get an easy conviction and attack the reputation of a suspect. It just happens too much and its not that its not a problem but it seems to be the newest tool to attack any suspect.

    Report Post »  
  • zman173rd
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:38am

    this sounds like a Federal offense. Why then is he possibly going to a State prison?

    Report Post » zman173rd  
  • Drum Man
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:32am

    I’ll take the hard working Asians over freeloading mexicans, ANYDAY.

    Report Post » Drum Man  
  • historypaper
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:23am

    Knock Knock,
    Who’s there,
    It’s me Omar,
    Omar who,
    Omar you ready Josif,

    Who are you Omar,
    I’m President Josif,

    President of what Omar,
    The country Josif,

    Who are you?

    I’m a union man Josif,

    I’m a socialist Josif,

    I’m a communist Josif,

    Knock Knock

    Who’s there?

    My name is Obama,

    Report Post » historypaper  
  • tea1776
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:22am

    WELL !!! Gosh DENG him !!!

    Report Post » tea1776  
  • GoNavy92
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:11am

    You can’t teach heart!!!

    Report Post » GoNavy92  
  • Slowman101
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:45am

    Only in California! Since he wants to be in the Army so bad, lets send him to Iraq!

    Report Post »  
  • RED-DAWN
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:33am

    Let’s be sure to add in a charge of “Possession of Child Porn”. I see this a lot in radical groups that intend to overthrow the government, or was that by people currently in the government? I digress, but I bet that will be the charge that will result in him being deported.

    Report Post »  
  • Fina Biscotti
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:23am

    Deng should be sent to Prison – and banned from the USA permanently.

    This is another example of why our borders should be controlled, closed and enforced – and people illegally in the USA = ILLEGAL ALIENS – should not be allowed to remain in the USA – when their illegal status becomes known.

    Report Post »  
    • Fina Biscotti
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:29am

      Check out the website = http://www.NumbersUSA.com

      Look up the article for the Major Immigration Enforcement Legislation -
      introduced by US Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) =
      “The Strengthening our Commitment to Legal Immigration and America’s Security Act.”

      Among other interesting aspects, this legislation includes – individuals being faced with arrest, and found to be involved in Identity Theft, are also charged with a felony = Aggravated Identity Theft.

      Call your elected member of Congress to get behind this legislation.

      It is important.

      Report Post »  
  • Ronmu
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:14am

    This guy just doesn’t quite get “entrepreneurship.” You gotta stay within the law.

    Report Post » Ronmu  
    • UlyssesP
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:39am

      That’s Chinese so-called capitalism. I do business with factories over in China. They will screw anyone over for half a penny if they can get it. I have been threatened with lawsuits – until I discovered they were ripping me off and threatened back then suddenly not even their own lawyers can find them.
      The most dis-honest thieving back-stabbing business people I have ever dealt with.

      Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • FrankSpeak
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:04am

    A possible dry run to recruit an insurgent army within the U.S.?

    Report Post » FrankSpeak  
  • parlayer
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:49am

    Better his “Brothern” than us. it’s a free country. can’t you join a cult if yu want.

    Report Post »  
  • BehindBlueEyes
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:37am

    Now what was it P. T. Barnum said?

    Report Post » BehindBlueEyes  
  • WHITE LOTUS2x
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:12am

    You cant fake a U.S. army unit. Lotus.

    Report Post »  
  • lel2007
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:12am

    ONE HUNDRED brand new Chinese come to America, willing and eager to serve their new country as members of what they believe to be the U.S. Army. So willing and eager they PAID to get in. Yet, as of 4/13-8:00am all comments are thoughtless quips about immigrants.

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • EP46
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:06am

    And how is this different from the PAID REVOLUTIONISTS sent into Egypt, Libya, etc. to bring about the downfall of the countries? Remember the reports that foreigners held “classes” that involved 100 hrs of training on how to conduct a revolution before the ‘sudden uprising’ in Egypt ? Evil as they are, I think we need to take seriously Mubarak and Gadhafi‘s claims that ’foreigners’ are causing the revolutions.

    Report Post »  
  • TwoLazy
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:04am

    I shudda knowd better, he didn’t give me no rifle, and I guess these fees aren’t tax deductable either.

    Report Post » TwoLazy  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:55am

    While these Chinese idiots might be wrong now, it’s only a matter of time before they try to pass an illegal alien amnesty bill with military service to destroy our last functioning institution in government.
    And Supreme Commander? Who do you think would adopt that title.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
    • HOOT
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:58pm

      Hate to tell you thanks to our fine government the chicoms already own U.S,

      Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:39am

    wow ingenuity and the entrepreneur spirit……………..too bad it wasnt directed at a more appropriate goal

    he will be spending some quality time in a brig somewhere

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:36am

    It really is amazing what people think they can get away with to make a buck.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Creestof
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:56am

      I’ve been saying that about Demcocrats for years : )

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:30am

    May we SEND “volunteers” ~~~ I’ve several suggestions.

    Report Post »  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:35am

      This is what you get when we want to let everyone come here. We have GOT to restrict immigration!

      Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:54am

      Unbridled diversity=ghetto

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • lel2007
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:01am

      Asians in general are fine honorable people, don’t judge them all based on the deeds of 1 percent. Deng recruited 100 new Chinese to serve in what they believed to be the U.S.Army, they even PAID to get in. I wonder if you could find 100 volunteers from Berkeley University CA.

      Report Post » lel2007  
    • PROAMERICAN
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:05am

      LEL2007 Your right! I think we should adopt his policy. If you would like to be a citizen and have $500, join the military, serve your time and if you are Honorably discharged, you may fast track your citizenship! These “recruits” marched in a parade and fooled everyone? They must be excited to be a U.S. Military Solder.

      Report Post » PROAMERICAN  
    • psst
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:46am

      Lel 2007 said
      “I wonder if you could find 100 volunteers from Berkeley University CA.”
      —
      From Bezerkeley? Ya gots ta be kidding,right?
      That’s a mighty bigggg haystack to be searching through. And there is not one needle in it.
      Volunteers? Not even if you paid them.
      That bunch would pay serviemen to go AWOL.

      Report Post »  
  • MG-42
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:26am

    I’ve seen it all now! Whack!

    Report Post » MG-42  
    • joe conservative
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:39am

      At least he put some effort into it. Sounds like he had all the bases covered. I wonder how many he’ll recruit in prison. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68uzsXdMLS4

      Report Post » joe conservative  
    • Creestof
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:55am

      I can just see it now:
      “Are you a video game addicted slacker? Can you perform more air guitar riffs than you can name American Presidents? Do you skip showering for days on end, in favor of just spraying yourself with large quantities of AXE? Did you make it through high school with a C average thanks to Shop Classes, perfect attendance and your fimal exam score by writing the essay “Why sleeping all day makes me a winner!” Do you believe you can dress & act like a gang banger, and then get mad when people don’t trust you or want to be around you? Were your major goals between the ages of 12-18 to see how many girls you could get into bed, and hit level 85 in WorldOfWarcraft at the same time? Do you hate your parents who’ve lived on a shoe string budget since you were born, raising you and saving for your college fund…all because they won’t buy you a new Mercedes now? Have you visited/lived in less than 3 states in your home country…yet are obsessed with travling through Europe? Can you build, re-format and de-bug a high end computer…but can’t take the garbage out or wash your own clothes? Are you 20-50 pounds overweight? Are you proud of your ability to recite every storyline from your massive comic book collection…yet have never read the Bible? WELL, CONGRATULATIONS! WE’VE GOT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY JUST FOR YOU! CALL US TODAY AT 555-CHUMP!”

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:55am

      Dung stinks. He should be made to clean the toilets at Marine Bases all around Cal. After that ship his sorry ass home to China

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:57am

      all that matters is they vote Demorat

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:24am

    .
    The brother just needs to eat…c’mon man

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Creestof
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:04am

      Maybe it is just Norman Hsu and his pals the Paws, trying to get back some of the money they funneled to the Clinton’s. The Paw’s were from California If I remember right.

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:11am

      Well, capitalism indeed, though in this case, one of the worst kinds when it exploits others with false promises of citizenship.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • RightWrite
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:59am

      Where is the reporting on what is happening to the illegal aliens in the uniforms?

      Report Post » RightWrite  
    • TermLimits4All
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:30am

      Only in California would a fake army be able to march in a parade! ROTFLMAO!

      Report Post »  
    • TermLimits4All
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:33am

      Snowleopard, I have to disagree with you. Fraud is not, and never was a form of capitalism. That is what the left believes. Of course the extreme left (aka the current POTUS) would have everyone believe that capitalism is a form of fraud.

      Report Post »  
    • Anti_Spock
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:43am

      Somehow I like this guy. I would love to find a similar set of idiots to pay off my mortgage.

      Report Post » Anti_Spock  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:26am

      I hope they caught his recruits and deported them, too.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • psst
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 10:37am

      TermLimits4All
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 9:30am
      Only in California would a fake army be able to march in a parade! ROTFLMAO!
      ——–
      That was funny.
      Remember when Soetoro went to California to inspect the troops?
      These were them (the troops)

      Report Post »  
    • J.C. McGlynn
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 11:36am

      As far as I am concerned he should be SHOT by a real military firing squad.

      Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
    • taskmaster78
      Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:32pm

      But it lives….Capitalism is alive and well, yet in a scamming and quite disgusting sense. But it still lives, and so does the moron who falls for the oldest scam known, Now we have a story that couples both idiots and a thief. What to do???

      Report Post »  
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