Dilworth, Minn., man is accused of posing as decorated veteran, POW and reaping $146,000 in federal benefits

A northwestern Minnesota man has been charged with collecting $146,000 in federal benefits by falsely claiming to be a decorated Marine Corps veteran who was captured in Iraq and wounded in action.

Mikhail Robin Wicker, 37, of Dilworth was charged Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bemidji with wire fraud, having a false military discharge certificate, fraudulent use of military medals and theft of government funds in a scheme he ran from 2015 through 2020.

Wicker is employed as a behavioral intervention specialist with the Moorhead Area Public Schools, district spokeswoman Brenda Richman said Thursday afternoon.

“As of today, he is still employed with the district,” Richman said.

Wicker appeared Wednesday in court and was released on his own recognizance. His next hearing is scheduled for May 23. Messages were left with him seeking a response to the allegations. Wicker’s attorney declined to comment.

“He told people that he served in Iraq with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division,” the indictment read, “a unit that suffered some of the highest casualties of the Iraq War.”

Photos on his wife’s Facebook page show Wicker in full Marine dress uniform during what she said was their wedding day in 2017. Another photo shows Wicker with a Marine emblem tattooed on his right forearm.

Wicker claimed he was taken prisoner in 2005 while serving in Iraq and held captive for more than a month. He also said he suffered post-traumatic stress and other injuries from an improvised explosive device attack in Iraq.

Wicker submitted forged and falsified documents when he applied for veterans benefits. They included certificates verifying his military discharge and that he had received the Purple Heart.