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ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A self-proclaimed "master thief" was sentenced to 18 months in state prison last week for violating his probation by allegedly accepting donations for a fake veterans charity while pretending to be a homeless veteran, said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III's office.
Last week, 58-year-old Sean Murphy stood before a judge during a probation surrender hearing in Fall River Superior Court. At the hearing, Murphy was suspected of "defrauding the public by soliciting charitable donations for a fake veterans charity and was doing so while pretending to be a homeless veteran." Murphy was also accused of lying to his probation officer about his location and where he lived, D.A. Quinn said.
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“The defendant is a career criminal who has a history of stealing from and defrauding people. He was surrendered to probation because he lied to his probation officer and was defrauding the public under the guise of helping veterans,” District Attorney Quinn said in a statement to WBZ. “This is clearly despicable conduct, but fits the pattern of his past criminal behavior. Unfortunately, it appears the defendant is not going to stop his long-term pattern of deception and fraud.”
Murphy is facing charges of Stolen Valor/Fraudulently Representing as Military and Larceny Under $1,2000 by False Pretense in Lynn District Court, according to D.A. Quinn.
In December 2019, Murphy was convicted of stealing gold and New York Giants Super Bowl rings from jewelry manufacturer, E.A. Dion, in Attleboro in a 2008 heist.
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