Ex-Marine with mental problems gets probation for identity theft

Ex-Marine with mental problems gets probation for identity theft
TAMPA -- Steven Lee Fickey doesn't hear the voices inside his head anymore, he said today in court.

The former Marine lance corporal takes anti-psychotic medication to stop them. Another prescription has helped curb his seizures, described by his defense attorney as a catalyst for his criminal behavior.

Fickey, 30, pleaded guilty in August to fraud and stealing the identifies of other Marines.

Prosecutors said he used the names of current and former Marines to open accounts with the Army and Air Force Exchange Services and purchase more than $100,000 in electronics, china and filet mignon.

Fickey faced 12 to 18 months in prison. As of today, he'd already spent about 14 months in custody, defense attorney Rochelle Reback said.

"I feel like he has been adequately punished by being incarcerated for that period of time, and I feel that probation would be sufficient," U.S. District Judge Richard Lazzara said.

He also ordered that Fickey pay more than $76,000 in restitution.
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