Pittsfield Man Arrested for Impersonating Army Veteran

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A 45-year-old Pittsfield man named James D. Sommers has been arrested and charged with one count of false statements for allegedly living under the stolen identity of a real U.S. Army veteran for over 30 years. Prosecutors say Sommers used the victim's name to collect thousands of dollars in Social Security benefits and nearly $30,000 in medical care and medications from VA medical centers, as well as rack up multiple criminal convictions in New York under the victim's name.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious consequences of identity theft, particularly when it involves impersonating a military veteran to fraudulently obtain government benefits and medical care. It also raises questions about how such a scheme could go undetected for decades and the need for stronger verification measures to prevent this type of fraud.

The details

According to federal prosecutors, James D. Sommers was arrested at the Soldier On veterans transitional housing facility in Pittsfield, where he had been living under the name of a real U.S. Army veteran who served honorably from 1979 to 1982. Sommers allegedly assumed the veteran's identity as early as 1994 and used it to collect thousands of dollars in Social Security benefits and nearly $30,000 in medical care and medications from VA medical centers. He is also accused of racking up multiple criminal convictions in New York under the victim's name between 1994 and 2011 for charges ranging from drug sales to grand larceny to forgery.

• Sommers allegedly assumed the identity of the U.S. Army veteran as early as 1994.
• Sommers used the stolen identity to collect benefits and medical care as recently as February 20, 2026.
• Sommers was arrested on March 10, 2026 at the Soldier On veterans transitional housing facility in Pittsfield.

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow James D. Sommers to be released on bail.