East Texas Man Indicted For Using Stolen Valor

TYLER, Texas – A federal grand jury has returned a 33-count indictment charging a Tyler man for fraud schemes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston Thursday.

Derek Robert Hamm, 38, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Tyler. They charged him with wire fraud, money laundering, violations of the Stolen Valor Act, using a fraudulent military discharge certificate, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it illegal to fraudulently wear medals, embellish rank, or make false claims of military service to obtain money, employment, property, or some other tangible benefit.

According to the indictment, Hamm held himself out to be a former member of the Army Special Forces. They had served multiple tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries. He claimed he received a Purple Heart, a Silver Star, and a Bronze Star for his service. In reality, Hamm received none of those awards. Hamm also falsely claimed to be related to Harold Hamm, the billionaire oilman in Oklahoma, which gave him access to financial resources and oil industry expertise.

The indictment alleges that Hamm’s persona of being a wealthy war hero helped him create an extensive network of friends who introduced him to potential investors. Hamm then defrauded those investors in the oil and gas drilling industry schemes. Hamm did not invest funds as promised. Instead, once Hamm received investors’ funds, he spent the money on lavish personal gifts, including nearly $500,000 on jewelry and vehicles for himself and his family. The indictment also alleges that Hamm was a prohibited person possessing firearms and ammunition.

Hamm was convicted in Smith County in 2020 for theft of property, a state felony. As a felon, it prohibits Hamm from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition by federal law. They also convicted Hamm in 2005 for assault of a family member, a domestic violence misdemeanor under state law. According to federal law, it prohibits Hamm from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his domestic violence conviction.

If convicted, Hamm faces up to twenty years in federal prison.
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If you or someone you know has been a victim of Derek Robert Hamm, please get in touch with the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 903-594-3503. Derek Robert Hamm is also known as D. Wayne Hamm II, Wayne Hamm, D. Wayne H., DW Hamm, and RD Hamm.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative prosecuted the case. Project Safe Neighborhoods aims to reduce gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition, and body armor, and improve the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Tyler Field Office, with assistance from the Tyler Police Department, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the Phoenix Arizona Police Department, Smith County Adult Probation, the Texas Railroad Commission- Enforcement Division, Department of Veteran’s Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Texas.

Comptroller of Public Accounts-Criminal Investigation Division, and the United States Special Operations Command. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Austin Wells and Ryan Locker prosecuted the case.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.