Former Navy Seal, Chris Heben, was found 'not guilty' this afternoon of lying to police about the circumstances surrounding his shooting on the afternoon of March 28, 2014, after a two-day trial in Summit County, Ohio. Heben claimed that he was accosted by three young black men in a shopping center parking lot in the upscale community of Bath Township, Ohio, where NBA star LeBron James lives.
According to Heben, the gunman shot him once in the abdomen before fleeing in a car. By Heben's account, he then jumped in his car to give chase, sometimes at high speed, plugging the wound to stem the bleeding. After giving chase for several miles he began to feel lightheaded from the loss of blood so he pulled into a Bath Township fire station for help.
Please see the updates about police testimony at the end of the diary. 11:20 PM EDT
Chris Heben recovering from gunshot, surgery
The 45-year-old Heben, a former quartermaster second class assigned to SEAL Team 8, was accused of one count each of falsification and obstruction of official business for making up at least part of the story, prosecutors say, charges that together carry a maximum sentence of 190 days in jail.
Heben was immediately transported to a hospital emergency room for emergency surgery for a life-threatening gunshot wound.
Police from the township, the city of Akron and several counties put out an all points alert for three armed black men in a silver, low-profile sports car for which Heben could not provide a make or model or even a partial license plate number ... just three armed young black men. The I-77 Interstate highway has an exit/entrance near the crime scene so within minutes the car with three armed "thugs" could have been on any of the Interstates in the Cleveland area or the Akron area.
What could go wrong?
Heben often appeared as a consultant on Fox News on matters involving U.S. Special Forces. He also worked as a spokesman for a local car dealer.
Following the shooting, Heben was given celebrity treatment by local news and on the national stage by Fox News.
Heben claimed that he was accosted by three young black men in a shopping center outside a Mustard Seed grocery store in Bath Township, Ohio, an upscale bedroom community, home to NBA star LeBron James. Bath is south of Cleveland, between Cleveland and Akron.
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,635 people and 2,814 families residing in the township. The racial makeup of the township was 95.41% White, 1.59% African American, 0.04% Native American, 1.90% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. The median family income in 2000 was $99,200 and 0.6% of families were below the poverty line. Black on white crime was very rare in Bath Township.
According to Heben, the gunmen shot him once in the abdomen before fleeing in a car. By Heben's account, he then jumped in his car to give chase, plugging the wound to stem the bleeding. After giving chase for several miles he began to feel lightheaded from the loss of blood so he pulled into a Bath Township fire/police station for help. He was immediately transported to a trauma center where he was rushed into surgery.
As I'll explain below, the Bath police had good reason to doubt Heben's account. But first, here the story that went viral once Heben survived surgery and the bullet was removed. If you prefer to skip to the true parts of the story, skip the accounts of how Heben used this tragedy to generate some income, in blockquotes.
The information in the blockquotes includes 1) a press release with a first person account by Chris Heben, 2) a Montrose Auto Group press release about Chris Heben joining Montrose as a spokesman and 3) a brief bio of Chris Heben. This was published by Cleveland Scene but the Heben press release and the Montrose Auto Group press release are widely available. http://www.clevescene.com/...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2014 – Akron, OH:
On Friday, March 28that approximately 1720 hours, I was shot during a verbal altercation in the retail parking lot near the intersection of Medina and Cleveland-Massillon Roads. During my subsequent hospitalization I was made aware of conflicting stories circulating throughout the news media, the Internet, and even among my inner circle of friends and contacts. I would like to take this opportunity to accurately recount the facts of the incident in an attempt to set the record straight and, hopefully, to bring those responsible for this act to justice.
As I made my way from my vehicle to the Mustard Seed restaurant, a vehicle nearly reversed into me, in what I perceived to be a random and non-calculated manner. I was taken by surprise but, by moving fast, I was able to avoid being struck. My immediate reaction was to verbalize my displeasure to the driver. In very calm, clear and stern manner, I informed him that he nearly struck me with his vehicle. As you may imagine, he also had some choice words, to the contrary, for me.
I established that there were two, possibly three, individuals in the vehicle. After saying my peace, I continued towards the store, as I recognized that this was not a situation that required further incident. After 10 or 12 steps, I realized that I had forgotten my wallet in my car. I returned to my vehicle, retrieved my wallet and within moments of heading back to the store, I was approached for a second time by the same vehicle.
The driver-side occupant, still seated behind a semi-closed and tinted window, confronted me with a verbal challenge. I responded, and at that very moment I felt like I was struck with something or that I was 'kicked' in the abdomen. As it turns out, one of the occupants of the vehicle had shot me through the door of the vehicle. At that point, the vehicle then fled the scene.
Fueled by a rush of adrenaline, I made my way back to my truck and pursued their vehicle. I did this until I came to the visual realization that I was bleeding from my stomach. I knew I was bleeding internally, as well, as I began to feel intense symptoms of shock. At that point, I broke off the chase and headed directly to the Bath Fire Department, who took tremendous initial care of my injury, and have since outlined these same details to the Bath Police Department. Bath PD are currently investigating this incident.
I want to extend much gratitude and many thanks to the wonderful staff at Akron General Hospital. Through intake into their Level 1 Trauma Center, I was quickly ushered to the CT scanner and promptly taken for emergency surgery, to remove a projectile from my abdomen. My abdomen was surgically repaired by the Chief trauma surgeon on staff. I am thankful for his abilities and for the fact that he was there. I also wish to thank all those who cared for me on the Trauma floor there as well as all who have extended their support to me via Facebook, phone calls, emails and texts.
Best regards,
Chris
Montrose Auto Group press release
MONTROSE AUTO GROUP SPOTLIGHTS MILITARY PRECISION IN NEW AD CAMPAIGN
U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Heben Leads Operation to Ensure No Customer Left Behind
Fairlawn, OH —- Michael W. Thompson, Founder and CEO of the Montrose Auto Group featuring 12 manufacturer brands at thirteen locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, has green-lighted a mission to promote his regional group of automotive dealerships with the support of U.S. Navy SEAL Christopher Mark Heben.
Thompson, a retired Army veteran with experience in Vietnam, enlisted the former Navy SEAL, whose tours of duty included operations in Iraq, Africa, Pakistan and Afghanistan, in order to promote the patriotic themes of growth and prosperity in today’s often unsettling climate. Heben, from Northeast Ohio, together with Thompson share an undying patriotism for their home and for America.
Following the termination of Osama Bin Laden, Chris emerged as the national media’s most featured special operations subject matter expert, appearing in hundreds of interviews on over-the-air television, cable news networks, and national and regional radio networks including NPR, providing expertise and relevance on a variety of topics relating to the special operations community.
Coinciding with the launch of spring and capitalizing on the high demand for quality and affordable automobiles as witnessed at this year’s Cleveland Auto Show, Thompson and Heben will unveil a broadcast and digital marketing campaign featuring the U.S. Navy SEAL as the new spokesperson for the Montrose Auto Group, with an enduring message of “No Customer Left Behind,” through traditional media including television, print and digital marketing outlets.
The Montrose Auto Group features highly trained, manufacturer certified sales and service personnel, and works with a variety of local, regional and national lenders to provide financing solutions for every conceivable situation. Now featuring U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Heben, you’ve now got a NEW friend at Montrose!
MORE ABOUT THE MONTROSE AUTO GROUP:
The Montrose Auto Group features 12 brands at thirteen locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Our mission at the Montrose Auto Group is to be the best in every aspect of our business by providing unparalleled customer service through our professional and courteous sales and service associates, while supporting the community that we work and live in. And Remember, “You’ve Got a Friend at Montrose!” For more information on the Montrose Auto Group please visit www.GoMontrose.com.
Chris Heben bio
MORE ABOUT CHRISTOPHER MARK HEBEN:
Upon leaving active duty with the United States Navy SEALS, Chris Heben performed duties as a Special Operations Team Leader for a private military contractor in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb operations. Through these initiatives, Chris helped to establish and enforce US foreign policy. Chris remains an active member of the US Special Operations community.
Chris Heben is an internationally recognized public speaker and continues to pursue his passion for the creative arts in the form of television and film acting, song writing, singing performances and voice acting. Today, he is the official voice for Under Armour’s new hunting TV show, Ridge Reaper, and co-star of Animal Planet’s Ivory Wars. Chris is currently hard at work promoting his debut album, The Patriot Project, and is legendary in international circles for his motivational speaking engagements. Chris is working on an autobiography entitled “Undaunted” in the hopes of inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
Heben joined the Navy in 1997 and left active duty on Sept. 26, 2001, according to his service records, serving in the Reserve until 2006.
Bath Police: Heben story fabricated
From the very beginning Bath Township Police Chief Mike McNeely had doubts about Heben's account. First, Heben stated that the shooting occurred at 5:40 PM in the shopping center but he attempted to make a cell phone call at 5:32 PM from near his home in Medina which is at least 5 miles away. Second, the video from all cameras with views of the parking lot do not show the altercation or the shooting. In fact, Heben's car cannot be seen anywhere in the parking lot. Third, no one in the area witnessed the alleged altercation or gunshot. No one heard a gun shot. Fourth, the video from over a dozen cameras along the chase route was examined and there was no chase observed on the video recordings. In fact, Heben's car was not observed along the route. Witnesses who traveled the route didn't recall seeing a chase. Finally, cell phone records from cell towers indicate that Heben's cell phone, which he had with him when he drove into the Bath Fire Department station, show that the cell phone was never near the shopping center that afternoon.
The misdemeanor trial began yesterday, March 31, 2015 and the case was given to the jury this afternoon. The jury deliberated for less than one hour before returning a not guilty verdict. Heben testified is his own defense, repeating the same story. In the end, even though the evidence casts doubt on his story, the state failed to prove that he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Heben's run-ins with the law
The Navy Times covered the story extensively since it happened. Here is their account after the first day of trial, published yesterday afternoon. http://www.navytimes.com/...
After leaving the Navy Heben became a physician's assistant. In 2008 he was arrested and convicted of forgery and writing fake prescriptions for steroids. In 2009 the Ohio State Medical Board revoked his license. He was sentenced to 33 days in jail and two years on probation. Medina County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Callier allowed Heben to expunge the disability to own weapons that comes with a felony drug conviction on Sept. 13, 2011. Heben, through his attorney, argued that he is a decorated combat veteran that worked for the private security firm Blackwater Worldwide for two years after serving as a Navy SEAL.
Heben has other legal matters in records in other NE Ohio, counties but I haven't been able to confirm their nature as of this writing.
Heben's brother has been punished for impersonating an Army Green Beret. He even obtained the uniform, insignias, etc. for photos he would then use to 'authenticate' his military status. He did this to impress women and to help him land work.
From Cleveland.com:http://www.cleveland.com/...
Heben's website says he's the founder of INVICTVS Group, which delivers "corporate/personal security and training services, as well as subject matter expertise to the news media and entertainment industry."
He rose to prominence as a military analyst in the wake of SEAL Team Six's operation that ended in the death of Osama Bin Laden. He appeared in hundreds of interviews on television and cable news networks and radio networks such as NPR, Discovery Channel and History Channel.
His website also lists him as the founder of SEAL Team Consulting which sells apparel, nutritional supplements and personal appearances.
He's also featured in several videos for a company called Medical Security International that shows him training staff members at area police departments and Cleveland Clinic.
Updates 11:20 PM EDT
From the Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/...
Bath Township Police officers testified that they were at the plaza at the time Heben was shot and that they did not witness a shooting.
...the prosecutor brought in police officers to back his version of events.
A patrolman from Bath, Benjamin Falconer, told the jury he was watching traffic near the shopping center that day and saw neither a car matching Heben's description nor did he see the car chase the former soldier described.
Another cop, Rob Young, told the jury he'd met with a fellow officer some 200 feet from where Heben said he was shot, right around the time the supposed incident occurred, and also saw nothing.
Chris Heben on the witness stand April 1, 2015
10:26 PM PT: Update 1:15 AM EDT April 2, 2015 - When Heben pulled into the Bath Fire Station, bleeding from an abdominal wound, a paramedic asked about the gunshot wound. Heben stated that he didn't know that it was a gunshot wound and it shouldn't be identified as a gunshot wound on the medic's forms. Apparently, a gunshot designation elevates the reporting requirements on multiple levels, and these ramifications are beyond my level of understanding concerning state procedures.