6 years for forging checks meant as donations to veterans

A 44-year-old Villa Park man was sentenced to six years in prison for forging checks he solicited on behalf of military veterans.

Donald L. McCarver was sentenced Thursday in DuPage County after pleading guilty to a single forgery charge, according to a news release from DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett's office.

McCarver was accused of cashing the checks for himself after going door-to-door in Wheaton on at least two occasions last month asking residents for donations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. McCarver then altered the checks so he could cash them for personal use.

At the time of his arrest McCarver was on probation for his role in an illegal raffle. In that case, he posed as a military reservist to collect money from shoppers at local stores.

"This is the second time that Mr. McCarver has been found guilty of taking money intended for United States veterans and their families for his own personal use," Birkett said. "To steal money from those who risk their lives for us is a disgrace."