HOPE MILLS, NC — Controversy surrounds the arrest of a Fort Bragg soldier on Saturday on fraud charges, following allegations that he was impersonating a civilian for personal benefit.
Army Specialist James Mountebank admits that he was at the popular Fayetteville hotspot It'z Entertainment City, but claims he had no fraudulent intent when he reportedly told a bartender and two fellow patrons that he was not a soldier in the U.S. Army. According to witnesses, however, Mountebank's intent was clear.
Sometime before 11:00 p.m., Mountebank ordered a drink for an unidentified woman, according to bartender Chase Mixson. The woman rejected the beverage, telling Mountebank that she “[doesn't] get involved with Army guys,” when sources say he first claimed to be a Certified Public Accountant. When asked for details about his job and where he works, Mountebank became “belligerent and defensive, changing his story on the fly.” It was then that Mixson began to take note of Mountebank's feeble performance.
“This guy was throwing out phrases like 'annual filings this,' and 'taxable income that', stuff anyone hears in movies or on TV. But when he couldn't come up with the location for his office, or a name for the receptionist, I knew something was up. This guy had to be an impostor,” Mixson said.
