Former Marine pleads guilty to bank fraud, impersonating federal officer
Former Marine admitted using fake military orders to obtain financial benefits and posing as a Homeland Security officer during an unlawful search.
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A Sewell man and former U.S. Marine has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, forging federal court documents and impersonating a federal law enforcement officer, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced Thursday.
Nicholas Cabral, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court in Camden to one count each of bank fraud, counterfeiting and using an official court seal and impersonating a federal officer to conduct an unlawful search.
According to prosecutors, Cabral served in the Marine Corps from November 2011 until May 2014 before being honorably discharged. Authorities said he never served in the military again but later created fraudulent Army and Marine Corps orders claiming he had been called to active duty in order to obtain financial benefits under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Between July 2019 and November 2022, Cabral mailed at least nine fake military orders to financial institutions, prosecutors said. At least one bank reduced his interest rate, refunded fees and suspended payments based on the fraudulent documents.
RELATED: Man accused of impersonating Homeland Security officer arrested in Washington Township
Prosecutors said Cabral also mailed forged federal court orders to financial institutions in September 2024. The documents falsely claimed a federal judge had ruled he was entitled to protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and bore a forged judicial signature.
In a separate incident on Dec. 10, 2025, prosecutors said Cabral drove a vehicle marked "Homeland Security Police" to a Sewell home after reporting an open front door to Washington Township police. Authorities said he falsely identified himself as a Homeland Security officer, entered the home while armed and conducted an unlawful search. Cabral also admitted driving the marked vehicle on other occasions without authorization.
Cabral is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 10.
