By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorCriminal charges have been filed against a former Warren County deputy accused of fabricating a story about being shot at while on duty and lying about his military honors.The ex-deputy, identified as Linkee I. Carrillo, caused $7,354.01 in damages to the police car from firing his department-issued and personal .40-caliber handguns into the hood and windshield, according to a probable cause statement.Carrillo had reported he was involved in an ambush-style shooting Jan. 31 while patrolling in Reifsnider State Forest west of Warrenton.However, an investigation determined that Carrillo fired multiple shot with his two handguns on his department-issued police cruiser, Sheriff Kevin Harrison reported.Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Kelly King on Monday charged Carrillo, of the 900 block of Warren Avenue in Warrenton, with a felony for first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and two misdemeanors for stolen valor and making a false report. He was taken into custody and released after posting bond.Harrison said Carrillo, who was placed on unpaid leave immediately after the shooting, was terminated Feb. 6 following the completion of an internal investigation.Criminal charges had been pending for some time as the prosecutor’s office completed its review of the case.“Individuals like this make us all look bad,” Harrison told The Record. “He created a situation and put officers at risk, the public at risk and that isn’t acceptable. He has to be held responsible.“It’s a bad situation, a horrible situation, when our own people turn against us.”Carrillo had radioed to 911 dispatch, made statements to other officers and completed written reports indicating he was shot at. He claimed suspects fired upon his patrol vehicle and fled the area in a red truck, according to Harrison.Coincidentally, a red vehicle was subsequently stopped in the area by responding officers who drew their weapons and believed the motorists had been involved.As the investigation unfolded, Carrillo was reportedly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and suicidal thoughts. At the time he submitted an employment application, he had noted he was the recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart medals.Authorities reached out to the Veterans Administration to review Carrillo’s past history, but a review of discharge documents revealed no mention of the awards, according to the probable cause statement.In an interview Feb. 20, Carrillo admitted he never received any significant awards from his military service and forged certificates to bolster a previous claim of an on-duty shooting. A search warrant at Carrillo’s home led to the seizure of military medals that were determined to have been purchased online, the probable cause statement shows.Carrillo also had told people he was writing a book about his military service, but Harrison said that the publication does not exist.“He was never in combat, never been awarded the medals, never been diagnosed nor received treatment for PTSD,” Harrison said. “Upon layer and layer and layer are lies and deception.”Carrillo was in his second stint working with the sheriff’s department. He previously worked for the Warrenton and Hermann police departments.Linkee Carrillo