Suffolk County is home to the largest Veteran population in New York, and the second-largest in the nation behind San Diego. Suffolk’s citizenry, governments, and civic groups are well-known for their reverence for Veterans.
But one man is alleged to have taken advantage of that good will.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) on Tuesday announced that David Agtsteribbe, 58, of Hampton Bays, was arrested and charged for allegedly fabricating his military service history, submitting falsified military documents to obtain personal and financial benefits, and stealing money from an American Legion post where he served as a finance officer since 2021.
The investigation shows that Agtsteribbe enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1986. A year later, he was court-martialed and pleaded guilty to stealing money from another soldier. He was sentenced to five months’ confinement and received a bad-conduct discharge. He formally separated from the Army in 1988 and has never served since.
In 2021, Agtsteribbe joined the Hampton Bays American Legion and secured the position of Finance Officer by allegedly using fabricated credentials. Although the defendant did not qualify for membership to the Legion due to his bad-conduct discharge, the investigation found that he submitted a fraudulent DD Form 214 that included multiple alterations to his official DD Form 214. The alterations included charges to his active-duty time, a wounded-in-combat designation, retirement at the rank/paygrade of SP4/E-4, an honorable discharge characterization, and a Purple Heart award.
Between September 2022 and August 2026, Agtsteribbe allegedly abused his position by stealing funds belonging to the American Legion. He allegedly transferred funds into his personal checking account and used the Legion’s funds to settle personal expenses, including Amazon purchases, electric bills, cable bills, streaming services, travel, leisure, clothing, accessories, and other personal purchases.
The District Attorney’s office alleges he stole $81,798.31.
“There is something particularly despicable about fabricating a military record and claiming honors you have never earned,” said Tierney in a press release. “This defendant allegedly took that disgraceful deception even further. He is accused of falsely portraying himself as a war hero, infiltrating an organization for those who actually served this country and then betraying their trust by stealing their money. Our Veterans earned their honors through sacrifice and service. This defendant allegedly exploited those sacrifices for his own selfish gain. It is a shameful abuse of trust, and one that we will prosecute.”
The investigation further revealed that Agtsteribbe had been applying for and obtaining membership in other Veterans’ organizations for which he did qualify dating back to 2019. He allegedly submitted false documents to obtain benefits and privileges reserved for actual Veterans, including membership of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).
The defendant’s alleged conduct extended beyond the American Legion post in Hampton Bays, however, as the investigation alleges he filed a falsified DD FOrm 214 with the Town of Southampton to avoid paying a $50 resident permit fee. In 2024, Agtsteribbe submitted multiple letters to the Southampton Town Clerk’s office for handicap permits. He claimed to have been an Army Veteran who was wounded in combat, a Purple Heart recipient, and a member of the aforementioned Purple Heart Order. He allegedly claimed to be a retired Lieutenant Colonel.
At the time of his discharge, he held the rank of Private.
Records provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office show the falsified DD Form 214. Agtsteribbe claimed to have received the Army Service Ribbon, the Rifle M-16 Marksman Badge, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Service Ribbon. Under the “Remarks” category, “combat wounded, medical discharge” is listed.
When compared with the official record, it shows he received the Army Service Ribbon and the Rifle M-16 Marksman Badge, but no mention of a Purple Heart or a Distinguished Service Ribbon. The allegedly falsified document also exaggerates his military education, listing Airborne School, Combat Weaponry, and Close Quarter Combat as qualifications.
On the official document, only a Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic Course appears to have been taken in April 1987. The allegedly falsified document lists Agtsteribbe’s last duty assignment and major command as Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The official document says Fort Riley, Kansas.
The D.A.’s office has also provided a letter written by Agtsteribbe to Southampton Town Clerk Sundy Schermeyer (R-Remsenberg), although he addressed it as “Sunday Schermeyer.” In that letter, he identifies himself as a “combat wounded Veteran,” a Purple Heart recipient, and a member of the MOPH, and requests handicap permits for three vehicles belonging to the Hampton Bays American Legion post. He signs off the letter identifying himself as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Agtsteribbe was arrested on Sunday by the Southampton Town Police Department. He has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony; Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony; two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, both class E felonies; and three counts of Falsifying Business REcords in the First Degree, all Class E felonies.
Agtsteribbe has been remanded during pendency of the case. He is due back in court on November 13 and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick Rooney of the Public Corruption Bureau.
