John Clifford Downs

[kiwi]

Fake vet in Army uniform arrested for collecting funds
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 12/24/2007 06:45:17 AM PST

TEMECULA, Calif.?A man in uniform collecting "Fallen Soldiers Fund" cash outside a Temecula Wal-Mart has been arrested for impersonating a veteran and soliciting money for personal gain.

A Riverside County sheriff's sergeant says John Clifford Downs, who also goes by the name Johnny Frischknecht, was spotted outside the store asking for money while holding a homemade sign reading "Fallen Soldiers Fund."

The 44-year-old Downs told a police officer he was an Army major, but he couldn't produce a military identification. Sgt. Keith Knotek says it was determined Downs was not serving in the military and he was booked into jail.