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Former Marine Takes Plea Deal In Identity Thefts

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By JOSH POLTILOVE and THOMAS W. KRAUSE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

TAMPA - A former U.S. Marine lance corporal, known to neighbors for parading around an apartment complex with a ceremonial sword, has agreed to plead guilty to stealing the identity of a fellow Marine to order a plasma television online.

Among the service members whose identities were stolen was a Marine serving in Iraq, according to a complaint filed in 2007 against Steven Lee Fickey, 30.

Fickey used identities of about 18 people without their consent to purchase nearly $114,000 worth of items through a Web site maintained by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, according to documents filed Tuesday in federal court.

By pleading to the theft of the plasma television, charges related to stealing the identities of other Marines will be dropped. He must make restitution to the other victims.

Among the other purchases prosecutors accused Fickey of making: a Dell computer, sword display cases, prime rib steaks and an acoustic guitar, according to the complaint.

Fickey was in the Marine Corps from May 1999 through November 2000 and was a lance corporal when he was discharged. In September 1999, he was assigned to the Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms, Calif., according to court records.

In 2007, the prosecution asked for an evaluation of Fickey's competence. The petition suggested Fickey was trying to fake mental illness.

Witnesses told investigators Fickey maintained "a very militaristic bearing," according to the government's motion. "The defendant has been observed walking up and down the parking lot of the Park Del Mar Apartments complex in Tampa, wearing his uniform and carrying a ceremonial sword, apparently practicing parade drills."

When investigators searched his apartment on Dec. 1, 2005, he told them he didn't order or purchase the items they found. He said the items "just keep getting delivered by the UPS man," the motion states. Fickey said he asked the UPS man to take the items away, but the UPS man refused. "He does receive a lot of items in the name of other people, but cannot explain why."

As the FBI was trying to schedule an interview with Fickey, he apparently tried to commit suicide by swallowing half a bottle of Tylenol and then calling 911, a motion states. In March 2006, Fickey told an FBI agent he recently had been hospitalized for a psychotic episode and depression, the motion states. He also said he hears voices.

In April 2006, he moved to an assisted-living facility called Sunshine Manor in Plant City.

Fickey was found competent to stand trial, according to court papers.

He faces up to 15 years in prison on identity theft charges and a maximum of 10 years in prison on a charge of access device fraud, court records show. He is scheduled to enter a guilty plea Friday morning before U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara.

Reporter Elaine Silvestrini contributed to this report. Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@ tampatrib.com.

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