A Valor Thief Lived in the Fort Bragg Barracks for Months Before Anyone Noticed

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**Jihadin**

Triston Chase allegedly claimed to be an EOD tech attending a top-secret school while squatting in barracks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Pictured: How badly Chase would have likely stood out if placed next to actual EOD soldiers. Photo: US Army

Valor thieves are some of the most obnoxious wannabes on the planet, but at least they’re easy to spot. With all the militaries’ peculiar rules and jargon, most stolen valor culprits are quickly outed by a misplaced uniform ribbon or a slip of the tongue.

Which makes it all the more amazing that one likely survived for months on an active duty post while living in special operations barracks and surrounded by actual soldiers. And, he was conducting room inspections and signing out keys to others while he did it. He was only caught after being arrested for DUI.

So how did a poser manage to get access to one of America’s most active bases, slip into the ranks among some of the nation’s finest warriors, and then get the keys to the building he was squatting in? According to an investigation uncovered by the Fayetteville Observer, a 20-year-old kid just lied. And not even that well.

The Observer’s writer, Amanda Dolasinski, matched up details from the Army investigation to the arrest of Triston Marquell Chase, a 20-year-old. Chase has a criminal record for various felonies including identity theft.

Chase allegedly used the ID card of another soldier, which he found or stole, to get on base. He then got a key to the barracks from someone other than the barracks manager. To get out of physical training and other formations, he told people that he was an explosive ordnance disposal technician attending a top secret school. Once in the barracks, he set up a cozy life for himself

He invited women, who would often bring food, into the third-floor room. Other soldiers reported that he conducted room inspections and signed rooms out to new soldiers. So, this squatter successfully gained the ability to run the building he was illegally staying in.

He also borrowed vehicles from soldiers in the barracks and filled his Snapchat account with photos from around the building.

Chase’s amazing alleged adventure came to an end when he pulled into the Fort Bragg KFC’s parking lot where military police were talking to a driver who had attempted to flee. Chase, visibly intoxicated, pulled up to the scene and told police that he was worried about one of his soldiers

The police administered a field sobriety test (because as police officers that’s a thing they can do). According to the investigation, Chase then told the police, “Yeah, I’m wasted.”

Chase’s completely sober female passenger at the time was allowed to leave. No report on why he didn’t ask her to drive him.

Once 3rd Group became aware of the suspect incident, they quickly launched an investigation. When the investigating officer caught up with Chase, the fake soldier was leading a formation of six people. He told the officer that he had recently transferred into 3rd Group from the 82nd Airborne Division’s Delta company.

For the record, 82nd has a lot of Delta companies. That’s why actual soldiers will also list the battalions and brigades of the Delta company they were in.

As the officer began calling the valor thief on his bull, the story quickly unraveled and the Fort Bragg Provost Marshal Office got involved. Chase was arrested and is facing a number of new felony charges. Meanwhile, 3rd Group is trying to get their ducks in a row in terms of barracks security.

Chase may go down in history as one of the ballsiest valor thieves ever caught. Not many of them take over barracks buildings or lead formations.

Freaking AWESOME SAUCE.

**DarkTraveler777**

So, Jihadin, in your professional opinion what's in store for the people responsible for allowing Chase into the barracks in the first place? Especially the soldier that gave him the barracks key. Because DAMN that is some bad internal security.

**Rosebuddy**

lol, "valor thieves"

This is a very funny story all around. Getting owned by some guy who just wandered in.

**Desubot**

Jesus thats impressive.

get that man to the CIA. seems like excellent spy material

**Mdlbuildr**

Makes the whole "Military Intelligence" thing kind of oxy-moronic doesn't it?

**yellowfever**

I don't see how that is awesome. These were spec ops that couldn't identify a wannabe for months. That's bad. If I was one of them I'd be embarrassed.

**LordofHats**

Military Intelligence has been an oxymoron since ancient Sparta

This is just adding an exclamation point to the end

**Jihadin**

DarkTraveler777 wrote:
So, Jihadin, in your professional opinion what's in store for the people responsible for allowing Chase into the barracks in the first place? Especially the soldier that gave him the barracks key. Because DAMN that is some bad internal security.

Your asking me my professional opinion on DakkaDakka........my professional opinion on DakkaDakka what should be done of those involve......I let those Senior NCO's and Officers handle that of what ever unit(s) who live in the barracks and on the floor and whoever was Key Control. No way in Hell am I given a professional opinion on this

**DarkTraveler777**

Jihadin wrote:
DarkTraveler777 wrote:
So, Jihadin, in your professional opinion what's in store for the people responsible for allowing Chase into the barracks in the first place? Especially the soldier that gave him the barracks key. Because DAMN that is some bad internal security.

Your asking me my professional opinion on DakkaDakka........my professional opinion on DakkaDakka what should be done of those involve......I let those Senior NCO's and Officers handle that of what ever unit(s) who live in the barracks and on the floor and whoever was Key Control. No way in Hell am I given a professional opinion on this

Alright, let me rephrase this another way.

For a civilian who knows feth-all about military justice, what sorts of punishments are in store for the idiot(s) who let this guy in to the barracks? I 'm not asking what YOU would do to the idiot(s), I am asking what the military will do to any personnel who were snoozing on their watch and let an unauthorized individual occupy a military barracks for months?

**timetowaste85**

Assuming a verdict can be reached that allows him to serve his country, this kid could go down as a serious badass. Provided he learns the dangers of alcohol. Still, what he pulled off was pretty impressive.

**CptJake**

I saw this a few weeks ago and chuckled. Some key control NCO gonna not be too happy with his evaluation.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

timetowaste85 wrote:
Assuming a verdict can be reached that allows him to serve his country, this kid could go down as a serious badass. Provided he learns the dangers of alcohol. Still, what he pulled off was pretty impressive.

He was skipping PT and every other hard thing troops do, I seriously doubt he has 'serious bad ass' in him. Good BS artist, but that is about it.

**timetowaste85**

He successfully fethed with the military for months. I consider that a bit badass.

**jhe90**

He has a career... In the CIA....

**Avatar 720**

jhe90 wrote:
He has a career... In the CIA....

He has no relation to Frank Abagnale Jr., has he?

**Ouze**

Hopefully the authorities can recover some of the stolen valor and return it to the victims of this crime.

**Jihadin**

Since he doesn't fall under UCMJ I see community work on Fort Bragg for him for a good long time

Dark since your a bit hard up for me to give a professional opinion on something that did not happen on my watch and what seems to be a high turn over of troop billet that they made this individual Key Control. You tell us what your professional opinion on this matter. Who would be the first individual(s) to feel the wrath of SMAJ and Top let alone some serious Field Grade Officers (not Chase being he is a civilian)

**malfred**

This is basically the plot to Catch Me if You Can, right?

**d-usa**

I don't know if I would call living in the barracks as "stealing valor"

**Dreadwinter**

CptJake wrote:
I saw this a few weeks ago and chuckled. Some key control NCO gonna not be too happy with his evaluation.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

timetowaste85 wrote:
Assuming a verdict can be reached that allows him to serve his country, this kid could go down as a serious badass. Provided he learns the dangers of alcohol. Still, what he pulled off was pretty impressive.

He was skipping PT and every other hard thing troops do, I seriously doubt he has 'serious bad ass' in him. Good BS artist, but that is about it.

You can be a badass and not be physically imposing. This guy duped the military and effectively took command of small groups of soldiers.

That is pretty badass. If he had malicious intent, he could have done a lot of damage.

**BrotherGecko**

Dreadwinter wrote:
CptJake wrote:
I saw this a few weeks ago and chuckled. Some key control NCO gonna not be too happy with his evaluation.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

timetowaste85 wrote:
Assuming a verdict can be reached that allows him to serve his country, this kid could go down as a serious badass. Provided he learns the dangers of alcohol. Still, what he pulled off was pretty impressive.

He was skipping PT and every other hard thing troops do, I seriously doubt he has 'serious bad ass' in him. Good BS artist, but that is about it.

You can be a badass and not be physically imposing. This guy duped the military and effectively took command of small groups of soldiers.

That is pretty badass. If he had malicious intent, he could have done a lot of damage.

Privates will follow anything with a higher rank lol.

In all seriousness, he was signing for keys, performering barracks inspections, shamming out of PT, ducking formations and was arrested for a DUI.....dude may as well be a soldier hahaha.

**Jihadin**

Did he do the duty to standards though. Other then...I'm sure he was mooching his paycheck from other soldiers lol

**DarkTraveler777**

Jihadin wrote:
Dark since your a bit hard up for me to give a professional opinion on something that did not happen on my watch and what seems to be a high turn over of troop billet that they made this individual Key Control. You tell us what your professional opinion on this matter. Who would be the first individual(s) to feel the wrath of SMAJ and Top let alone some serious Field Grade Officers (not Chase being he is a civilian)

Why are you acting so obnoxiously about me asking a question regarding how the military might deal with the people involved in this case?

I am not trying to set up a "gotcha" moment so I am honestly confused why you're being so coy. You are in the military, yes? That is why I asked the question since I figured you would have insight into what the military might do to the folks who dropped the ball here.

If I crossed some line by asking your opinion, well sorry. But I kinda think that isn't the case.

Anyway, never mind answering my question. I no longer care about your thoughts on the matter.

**porkuslime**

I have never heard the term "valor thief" before.. is that defined as "faking military service"?

with no formal pay packet, was he mooching everything, including meals?

**Desubot**

porkuslime wrote:
I have never heard the term "valor thief" before.. is that defined as "faking military service"?

with no formal pay packet, was he mooching everything, including meals?

its something like faking military service in order to gain unfair benefits.

he was also mooching a chick in a military vehicle while being drunk

**CptJake**

Desubot wrote:
porkuslime wrote:
I have never heard the term "valor thief" before.. is that defined as "faking military service"?

with no formal pay packet, was he mooching everything, including meals?

its something like faking military service in order to gain unfair benefits.

he was also mooching a chick in a military vehicle while being drunk

I don't think it was a military vehicle.

**kronk**

CptJake wrote:
Desubot wrote:
porkuslime wrote:
I have never heard the term "valor thief" before.. is that defined as "faking military service"?

with no formal pay packet, was he mooching everything, including meals?

its something like faking military service in order to gain unfair benefits.

he was also mooching a chick in a military vehicle while being drunk

I don't think it was a military vehicle.

Perhaps he didn't get access or mooch military vehicles. However, from the article:

"He invited women, who would often bring food, into the third-floor room"

He may have unfairly accessed or mooched military boobies...

**jmurph**

Valor thief is a stupid term because it implies that valor can somehow be stolen. They are impersonators, frauds, and often thieves, to be sure.

I have a hard time calling a basic con men "badass". Most people are more concerned with their own goings on then to question everything everybody else is doing. Generally people assume that is someone is somewhere and they are halfway confident/busy then they belong there. Most rational people don't bother the impersonation route because the penalties are rather severe, not because it's super hard.

People have impersonated police, military, etc. since ancient times. It's a big reason why spying works. The problem is what happens when you get caught.

Since the guy is a felon, I can't imagine he cares too much about his record (or a DWI). I would guess that the prosecutor would push for a nice prison stint, as I can't see a jury being very sympathetic.

**CptJake**

kronk wrote:
CptJake wrote:
Desubot wrote:
porkuslime wrote:
I have never heard the term "valor thief" before.. is that defined as "faking military service"?

with no formal pay packet, was he mooching everything, including meals?

its something like faking military service in order to gain unfair benefits.

he was also mooching a chick in a military vehicle while being drunk

I don't think it was a military vehicle.

Perhaps he didn't get access or mooch military vehicles. However, from the article:

"He invited women, who would often bring food, into the third-floor room"

He may have unfairly accessed or mooched military boobies...

I would be surprised if they were actually military gals. I suspect civilians from off post or some poor trooper's dependents. That is based on seeing who/what hangs out at the barracks and not specific knowledge of this case...

**kronk**

jmurph wrote:
I would guess that the prosecutor would push for a nice prison stint, as I can't see a jury being very sympathetic.

Since he isn't military, would it be in a federal courthouse rather than a military trial? Right?

I got a speeding ticket on an airforce base and had to pay at a federal courthouse in person (no mail in option).

That was an intertaining few hours of my life. Lots of DUI and more serious cases being arranged(sp?) before the judge that day.

**feeder**

Ouze wrote:
Hopefully the authorities can recover some of the stolen valor and return it to the victims of this crime.

Sadly, this cannot be done. Once that valor is stolen, it is gone forever. That is why this is the most serious part of this crime.

Not the flaws in security, the lack of oversight, or this fraud's access to a national defense site. It's the irreplaceable valor.