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Gilbert Rainault, aka Tim Gibson, Green Beret... NOT!!, lifelong criminal and con man…

Gilbert Rainault, aka Tim Gibson, fake Green Beret, lifelong criminal and con man…

On some formats, you'll need to click the bottom red line below pictures to open up even more pics.

Grab a coffee, this is a long read,

On 2/9/18 @ 1320 Guardians of the Green Beret received the following email:

I received your contact info from the Green Beret Foundation. I’m hoping you can help me out. I’ve been working with a man who claims to have served 1994-2010 in 3rd SF Group ODA 352. His name is Gilbert Rainault. Would you be able to verify.

We don’t really make it a habit of doing random checks for people but since they were sent by the GBF and mentioned a GBF employee by name, we took it on. In a matter of 15 minutes we knew the name Gilbert Rainault had never serve from 94-10 on ODA 352 as he claimed. You see, we posted that info in SF Brothers and within only minutes we had almost every year covered by guys that were there during those years.

We responded to the email and received further info that he also used the name Tim Gibson. We tossed that name back in SF Brothers and again, two thumbs down.

As dialog continued it became apparent that we needed to get records ASAP. You see, this Gilbert Rainault aka Tim Gibson aka Fake Green Beret, seems to have weaseled his way into the SF community and was able to convince a female angel investor to go into business with him. She contributed a huge (said as yuuuge using my best Donald Trump voice) sum of money to help him establish ODA Tactical & Apparel. They sold tactical gear and t-shirts. Gilbert seems to have done his research when it comes to knowing what to say to who as a number of legit SF were helping him get his business off the ground. 

When we went on record to the angel investor that he was not on that ODA during those years, she confronted him and he quickly realized the gig was up. Within hours, he was on the run with a few $1000 worth of company gear he had taken along with the investor’s dog. He was subsequently charged with embezzlement, criminal impersonation, and weapons possession by a felon.

As we continued to research this fraud and con man, many came forward having heard him claim to be a GB in the 3rd, 7th, and 10th depending on who he was lying to at the time, and also having stated he was an 18D (Special Forces Medic). 

We also found a life history of criminal activity and charges. It looks like he has an active warrant in Florida as we write.

With the life history of criminal activity, we did both the standard FOIA request via NPRC and an emergency request. Within a day, we knew no record of him existed with the Army. He was also not showing in the VA system, meaning he probably never served in any service. Before we went with an official “He never served in the military period," we had to wait on the official FOIA letterhead to arrive. We can now state he never served a day in the Military.

His time on the run was short lived, as after only 10 days, they found him in a hotel parking lot and arrested him without incident. Here is the FOX21 News article about his capture 

From the angel investor:

Twitter was the first point of connection I had with “Tim Gibson". He portrayed to me that he was a wounded Green Beret with PTSD/TBI in need of a service animal. Tim was depressed and suicidal and I purchased him a German Shepherd through VonRief Shepherds in Black Forest CO. As we continued to get to know one another Tim revealed to me he wanted to own his own business but didn’t have the funds to do it. Because I had means I offered to become business partners and together we opened up ODA Tactical & Apparel (a Special Forces owned company) in May 2017 (I did a background check on Tim Gibson-nothing turned up).  

We ran ODA Tactical & Apparel from our respective homes in NJ & Colorado. However because of the large military presence in Colorado we found ourselves doing many promotional events throughout the state to make our name known.  At this point it made financial sense for me to rent a home in Colorado. Tim had told me prior that he was involved in a lawsuit and couldn’t have his name on our business or a property lease. I secured a lease under my name and allowed Tim to stay in the home upon breaking up with his girlfriend.  Shortly after moving in there was an incident at my place that required 911. Upon learning the police had been called Tim forced me to drive him to Colorado Springs where we spent the night. I pushed him on why we needed to leave and Tim told me it was because he had an outstanding warrant in Florida that he was working with his lawyer on clearing up. I accepted what he told me and flew back to NJ shortly thereafter. 

Tim told me he was going to head to Florida for a bit. Something did not sit right with me and I began to do my own research. Through Facebook I established who his mother is (XXXXXX XXXXXX) and the mother of his child is (XXXXXXX XXXXXX). And through one of their conversations they referred to Tim as “Gil”. This gave me pause for thought and through further research on Facebook I determined his name was in fact, Gilbert Rainault.  From there I did another background check and learned of his criminal history. He had a terrible temper when questioned but I confronted him about the false/real name issue. Tim told me he had had such a difficult time transitioning to civilian life that he had gotten into trouble with the law and left for Colorado to establish a new life. And with this new life he needed a new name to start afresh. I accepted this as truth but red flags continued being raised. Why when there was the slightest issue with Kilo (the German Shepherd) did Tim need to rush to the vet? Medics are trained in basic veterinary care. Why was Tim asking me basic medical questions for wounds, blood pressure, sickness? He was an 18D. Why couldn’t he translate verbatim a political slogan I showed him in French? After all, he spoke French and Russian. Two languages, like all SF guys. And just why was he having so many issues sighting in my AR? He was a soldier.

Too many things made me raise my eyebrows and I reached out to the Guardians of the Green Beret to inquire about Gilbert Rainault’s service. They assured me no one under that name ever served. At this point I knew I had been thoroughly and completely scammed. I text Tim and told him to get out of the house I rented. I instructed him to leave all of our inventory including the night vision and firearm we had purchased for our demo tables. He begged me, saying he would pay rent and work for free. I told him under no circumstances was I perpetuating his fraud of ODA Tactical & Apparel being a Special Forces owned company and for him to remove himself from the premises.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for shedding light on who Gilbert Rainault truly is. As of the latest totals he’s cost me over $100,000 and a considerable knock to my pride but nothing compares to the portrayal of stolen valor.  It’s appalling and reprehensible.  I thank you for your help, your service and what you continue to do.

Regards,

XXXXXX XXXXXXX

From another very close to the case and also the fraud Gilbert Rainault, fake Green Beret:

Gilbert Rainault aka Tim Gibson

Around May 1st, 2017 I had contacted the person I knew as Tim Gibson. I contacted him asking to use one of the ODA Tactical & Apparel  t-shirt designs that I had found on the internet. This was my initial introduction to ODA T&A and Tim Gibson. I did meet with him and we started hanging out together. He was living in Manitou Springs with Niki XXXXXXX. I did use the Bearded Bastard design on my prosthetic leg, as Im an above the knee amputee. I am a US Marine and former law enforcement officer of 9 years, I am also a 100% Service Connected disabled Veteran.

As I met with Tim, he had told me numerous times that he was in the Army from 1996 through 2011, and that he was an 18D with 3rd Group. He had stated that he had been discharged due to being injured resulting in a TBI. I had no reason at that time to suspect anything different from what he was telling me. He introduced me to several other Veterans and law enforcement officers in Manitou Springs who had also believed that Tim was also a former 3rd Group member as an 18D. Niki, his girlfriend at the time, had also told me that she appreciated me being around to help him deal with the PTSD from the things that he had seen and gone through. I had no reason to question his statements at the time.

I was involved immediately with the company ODA T&A making contacts and attempting to sell merchandise. I had also purchased several different types of equipment and supplies from Tim, who would take the cash from me. Tim had purchased level 4 trauma plates for a tactical carrier, in which I had then purchased the same thing from him giving him cash. I then met the owner of the company, Kristin XXXXXX, who had flown out to Colorado several different times for some of the shows and vending events that was planned out over the summer. We had gone to numerous events in Colorado Springs as a vendor, in which Tim had told many people that we had met that he was an 18d and was with 3rd Group. This also included Grunt Fest in Colorado Springs.

During one event to which I was invited, I was told that they wanted me to be a guest of honor. I politely declined and offered them to use Tim instead as he had told me that he was Army SF, an 18D, had done several tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that he was discharged because he had received a TBI. He stated that he didn’t want that to happen and did not go to the HALO event with me. 

Gilbert Rainault, aka Tim Gibson, you’ll now be added to Guardians of the Green Beret Hall of Zeroes (Fakes, Frauds, and Phonies)

#timgibson, #gilbertrainault, #guardiansofthegreenberet 

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3 comments on article "Gilbert Rainault, aka Tim Gibson, Green Beret... NOT!!, lifelong criminal and con man…"

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loweboyz

4/21/2018 3:01 PM

Yet another Piece of Shit phony. When will it stop?


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Anonymous

7/30/2018 4:14 PM

I really can’t describe the feeling I had when I once again did the periodic check online to see if Gilbert had been arrested yet.I strangely found comfort in the fact that he was not captured and brought back to Florida for his warrants there . I knew he was in Colorado somewhere but I never wanted him to come back to Florida with another slap on the wrist or turning CI to get out of trouble and I feel at danger again , however , I never really felt safe knowing he was out there at all. I was contacted months back by someone asking if I had seen him and making sure I was safe because he stated he was coming back to Florida and was on the run from the FBI I was told . I didn’t sleep for a month well after that. I can’t describe the terror I dealt with being involved with this person , the healing that is still taking place for myself and my children . He is a lifelong con man , he’s very convincing and by the time you realize the truth you are in danger and he’s extremely violent . Being a con man he hatches elaborate ways to tear your life apart , set you up , spread convincing and dangerous lies , he managed to blackmail me for things that he created for me out of fear and the cloud of abuse and threats from him for so long . I tried many agencies to help me no one believed me or did anything about him . He would re enter my home for a year telling lies and slandering me across the internet social media , with people even threatening me because they believed him he was so convincing . I slept with baseball bats and knives for years because of him. My children are still tormented because of things he did and said and the entire experience . I actually had to leave my job , my home and my children just to get away from him .

He has always lied about being in the military , he had me convinced of the same thing as well as everyone who knew him for a long long time , also lied about being in with Florida motorcycle gangs and would use that as a threat as well , he always stated he was SF and medic , said injured in Afghanistan and that’s why he has seizures , also not true , I found evidence of him lying to women on social media also impersonating a SF years ago , he had gotten pictures of soldiers with beards that looked very much like him and he knew a lot of the lingo and studied it , he also pretended to be a firefighter and ex firefighter to people as well. That was another of his cons . He always wore military type gear and shirts he would buy offline or from people or army navy store etc I actually still have a couple of them around Idk why , maybe to remind me of what I let happen to me and the damage it did so that I never allow that to ever happen to me again. He changed me then in terrible ways and I never could figure out how to get away or out of the situations . I never experienced someone like him - in no fool or naive , I have an experienced life but the extent he will go .... photoshopping pictures , editing fake text conversations etc making false reports to child protection agencies etc etc .... people believe him and he can turn your life upside down between that , setting you up and threats Therof and physical violence . He has also been to prison in Massachusetts or Missouri I believe for weapons and violence against another woman I found out later . He treats his mother and youngest daughter the same way with threats and control and violence , has 3 other children all in different states as well .... he’s mentally disturbed and dangerous and I am hoping they actually keep him for a very long time so my children and I can feel safe .

I’m so happy you guys were diligent and captured him . The alias he was using is someone that I know as well whom was in prison when he started using that alias .

Thank you for flushing him out and catching him . Thank you so much I can’t explain how I felt

Reading all of this , validating things for me in a way because I don’t think a lot of people where I’m from still believed me . His lies seemed too far fetched , details and convincing fake evidence , he had people coming after me thinking I was many many things and done things I had not as a way to intimidate me .

I have a damaged jaw , ptsd and still working to start my life over in every aspect and help my kids overcome the damage that he did to them . His name and face will haunt me probably for life and I’m sorry to the other woman who fell for this because I completely and truly understand how it happens and the web that he weaves . I’m happy no one got physically hurt and I will hope to see him get some serious time .


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Survivor

2/3/2019 12:01 AM

It's been just over 12 years since he went to jail (then prison) for what he did to me. I'm still haunted by it all every day. He is a monster, true evil.

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We are former and current Green Berets who find and investigate those who falsely claim to be a Green Beret. We will never out someone unless we are 100% certain via FOIA and Bragg.

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Recent comments

Clyde1994:

This news is pretty sad for me because I knew the guy. The 1998 overwrite should read that he was the commander of C Troop, 1-18 Cav. I don't recall him wearing any tabs or badges. I am glad that a 19th Group (Guard) guy brought this to your attention. To me this casts a shadow of suspicion with anybody in the Guard. He left the Guard prior to GWOT. I think that the Guard did our share in GWOT with multiple mobilizations and deployments. I was mobilized twice, including a year in Afghanistan as an Infantryman. Now I'll wonder if people will think I'm a liar if I say anything about my service. Thanks Eddie...

Scott Berndt:

Talk about a disgrace to the uniform! I can't believe he got away with the fraud all those years. If you go to his website at

https://www.rudigresham.com, it still makes it sound like he has an Army SF background without stating he was one. He even has awards issued by several SF organizations. Sounds like the GotGB still have some hunting to do.

U.S. Naval Aircrewman (90-95):

Wow. Absolutely mind blowing & disgraceful. They should make a documentary about how this turd BS'd his way through the years in order to be in a position to be standing next to Presidents, politicians & celebritys. I get pissed when I think of all the others like him but that have never gotten exposed or caught. Great job catching this s--t turd.

U.S. Naval Aircrewman (90-95):

You can tell just by looking at him that he is a shit bird.

Royal Mons:

If these phonies want to play dress up they should join a re-enactment society and not lie about their fantasies and live off the sacrifice of others.

SOF VETTE:

FRANCO K WEBB is a LYING POSER. He and I were BEST FRIENDS during the time he CLAIMS 7th GP 18D (MY MOS and MY Duty assignment - ODA 755/754, O&I, SWC G Co SFAS, 1st Bn S3).

He was NEVER ASSOCIATED WITH, ASSIGNED TO, in SUPPORT OF, or attended ANY TRAINING that would qualify his claim of being an 18D.

He was a CAR STEREO SALESMAN and INSTALLER on Yadkin Road the ENTIRE TIME I KNEW HIM. We were in Westarea Fire Department TOGETHER and he lived in a trailer on Haretown road.

It APPEARS that he has taken some of MY SF TRAINING, HISTORY and BACKGROUND, claimed it as his own, and further EMBELLISHED those stories for his own video game centered bravado.

FRANCO K WEBB IS A GREEN BERET FRAUD

SuperUser Account:

He probably never will. The 7th Grp picture he pretends is his is an ODA from the mid-'80s. We've identified all men in the picture. It also looks like he added a Ranger Tab to his website. He's never before claimed Ranger so this is strange.

He and Mike Mika (President of SFA Ch 34) threatened to sue the SFA National if they didn't rescind the letter they sent us, give Rudi a formal apology, and re-instate him as a member in good standing. Of course SFA National refused and nothing came of his idle threat.

Mike Mika has twice, along with Rudi Gresham the fake Green Beret claimed that Rudi spent 12 years in the S.C. National Guard and that's where he attained the rank of LTC. Neither time were they able to produce records that baked up that statement.

SGT P - Rakkasan:

I just looked at his personal website, and it still has a picture autographed by General Yarborough, and a statement that says he served as Yarborough’s Aide. When will this clown give it up? I took screen shots.

Rick Upton:

Why is he working for the VA?

RobertEddy:

First of all, thank you folks for what you do, what you’ve done, and what you’re willing to do.

Secondly, it is my hope that Mr Prouix owns up to his lies. I have been watching this story and it disgusts me that there are people who would assume to receive the accolades deserved, but never sought, by better, braver, stronger men.

Mr Prouix needs to be exposed. Well done.

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