TAHLEQUAH – The now former commander of the Cherokee Nation Color Guard faces a felony criminal charge in tribal court for allegedly submitting an altered service record to obtain a Purple Heart vehicle tag.

CN citizen Steven Antonio Morales, 37, is charged by the CN Attorney General’s Office with knowingly offering a “forged or false” document to the Cherokee Nation tag office in early August. The document in question is a military service record called a DD214, which according to the AG’s criminal complaint was used in an attempt to obtain a Purple Heart tag. However, it is alleged that Morales was “not entitled to said Purple Heart tag.”

Morales appeared in CN District Court on Aug. 16, at which time he pleaded not guilty. His next court date is set for Sept. 15.

Morales was commander of the color guard, an independent, nonprofit entity that relies on donations and volunteer work. The guard presents colors at official Cherokee Nation events and serves at veteran funerals across the Cherokee Nation Reservation.

“Mr. Morales has resigned from the Cherokee Nation Color Guard,” a statement from Cherokee Nation Communications says. “Mr. Morales’ conduct does not diminish the vital work of the Cherokee Nation Color Guard and the organization’s contributions supporting our Cherokee Warriors. The Cherokee Nation stands firmly that it does not condone acts of stolen valor or any act that undermines the honor of this nation’s military service members.”

The criminal charges were...

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