"Martinsburg couple convicted of fabricating death to leave U.S. Coast Guard"

2015-08-13T12:01:29-04:00

From: Your4State

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A Martinsburg couple was convicted of misleading the U.S. Coast Guard, according to U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld II. Court documents state that Larry Shelby, a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, conspired with his wife, Karen Shelby to fabricate his death in an effort to desert the Coast Guard.

The documents go on to say that Shelby abandoned his car, wrote suicidal notes, concealed his identity and isolated himself in a remote West Virginia cabin in an effort to falsify his death. Ihlenfeld says Karen Shelby told authoritiy her husband was missing and she was unaware for his location and didn't know if he was alive.

Documents show that the Coast Guard spent $100,000 searching for Larry Shelby. The search was supported by Maryland State Police, the National Park Service, the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office and numerous local police departments. In February of 2014, Shelby returned to her home in Martinsburg. Records show this was kept a secret until June.

Larry Shelby pleaded guilty to one count of "Hoax Causing U.S. Coast Guard to Render Unneccesary Aid" and "Conspiracy to Violate Laws." He faces up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

http://www.your4state.com/story/d/story/martinsburg-couple-convicted-of-fabricating-death/20119/wgPBiS1bSkiACKUlbiRLHw

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 13 at 2015 12:08 PM

2015-08-13T12:08:10-04:00

I don't get it. I know people deal with things differently but this is way over the top. Just do your time and get out.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 13 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-08-13T12:20:11-04:00

I don't get it. What would cause someone to go to that extreme to get out of something? I know the mission of the Coast Guard isn't as easy as people think all the time. I guess he'll have up to 6 years to think about how he could have handled the situation differently.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Aug 13 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-08-13T12:23:44-04:00

What an embarrassment to the service! Lock him up and his lovely wife too! If you desert you be barred from ever telling anyone they served. I will just never understand people. A sad day for the CG.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 13 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-08-13T12:33:22-04:00

So, in addition to the prison time, the fines, maybe they should also be slapped with the $100K that was spent looking for him! I would suspect that if he was THAT tired of the Coast Guard, there are better ways to get out. Discussion with leadership would be a good place to start..... All methods to separate may take some time, but failing PT Testing, Hardship, failure to thrive...there are ways.... maybe wait until enlistment is up, then not re-up??!! WOW!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 12:58 PM

2015-08-13T12:58:49-04:00

Why wasn't he charged with desertion?
It isn't mentioned in the article, but insurance fraud with his SGLI should be on the table soon.
False official statements by his wife?
This Coastguardsman sucks.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when his CO and Command Master Chief host him in their office.
I'll bring the good popcorn with extra butter.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Aug 13 at 2015 1:37 PM

2015-08-13T13:37:04-04:00

The article doesn't mention it but, I'd bet there was a life insurance payout request as well.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 13 at 2015 3:12 PM

2015-08-13T15:12:18-04:00

Sounds like he effectively left the Coast Guard all right. Hope he likes his new assignment for the next 6 years in the Steelbar Hotel.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 8:51 PM

2015-08-13T20:51:10-04:00

Good luck getting a job after you get out of prison. You loser. You bailed on all your sailors that work underneath you. As a NCO you make me sick. It is to easy to get out of the military but why. It is the best job I ever had.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 14 at 2015 2:52 AM

2015-08-14T02:52:50-04:00

Now that is a bit of a complicated way to get out of service.

Response by CPO Jim Wingate made Aug 15 at 2015 8:54 AM

2015-08-15T08:54:25-04:00

Wow, this is nuts, wth are you thinking, well thats the problem not thinking.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2018 12:18 AM

2018-07-04T00:18:27-04:00

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this scam in the CG. It’s usually about the life insurance payout more than it is about leaving the service. Most of these crooks think they’ve devised a plan that nobody else had done before and 9 times out of 10, these knucklehead brag about their crimes to somebody who rolls over on them.

You just can’t fix STUPID.

Response by CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2020 5:03 AM

2020-12-12T05:03:56-05:00

Losers