Iraq Veteran Gets 8 Years for Charity Scamming

Iraq vet sentenced to 8 years in prison for charity scam 
St. Louis Dispatch
Susan Welch
January 12, 2015

William Ronald Harshbarger, an Iraq War veteran from St. Charles County, was sentenced to eight years in prison for taking money in the name of the Wounded Warrior Project but keeping the money for himself.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY • A wounded Iraq War veteran from St. Charles County was sentenced Monday to eight years in prison for soliciting donations for the Wounded Warrior Project but keeping the money himself.

William Ronald Harshbarger, 34, of the 1100 block of Clydesdale Drive, pleaded guilty in November to seven felony counts, including forgery, stealing and financial exploitation of a disabled person, all occurring in 2012.

Harshbarger's case was handled jointly by the Missouri attorney general's office and the St. Charles County prosecutor's office. He was sentenced by Circuit Judge Rick Zerr. Harshbarger routinely solicited donations outside stores such as Schnucks and Walmart, receiving at least one $1,000 check, authorities said.

He also took part in events such as a Veterans Day-related fundraiser at Living Word Christian School, in O’Fallon, Mo., where he received almost $750. read more here