Associated Press - December 21, 2009 11:35 AM ET

UNION CITY, Tenn. (AP) - An ex-Marine who now says he lied about earning a Purple Heart while serving in Afghanistan faces charges of misrepresentation of decorations in Obion (oh-BEYE'-uhn) County.

The Union City Daily Messenger reports 24-year-old James Randall Stewart told his story of heroism to the Rev. James Kinsey, whose Open Door Ministry helped Stewart get an apartment and a job. But after Stewart's story appeared on the front page of the Daily Messenger earlier this month the story began to unravel.

Obion County Sheriff's Department investigator William Sanford said documents show Stewart served just over eight months before he was discharged under other than honorable conditions.

Stewart, formerly of Hickman, Ky., was arraigned last week and has a Dec. 29 court date.

Kinsey said he feels hurt but is still willing to help Stewart straighten out his life.

Information from: Union City Daily Messenger, http://www.ucmessenger.com

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