A Haines City police captain was arrested for defrauding the government to obtain Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Captain Gabriel García was arrested by federal agents on Thursday morning following an investigation led by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). García was one of 10 people charged in the scheme to obtain fraudulent benefits by claiming false medical conditions, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Other defendants included his mother, Brenda García, his uncle, Randolph Báez, and his mother's husband, Victor García-Soto. "These defendants exploited a program intended to assist veterans who are truly in need,” W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, said. Federal investigators said the multi-year scheme was led by two men, Ángel Carrer-Rivera and Richard Rivera-Maitin. Carrer-Rivera, a resident of Puerto Rico, started working at the VA in January 2009. Before his arrest, he supervised 18 people who decided which veterans' claims were granted or denied. He's accused of using his position to access the benefits management system. Rivera-Maitin, a veteran and resident of Puerto Rico, is accused of identifying veterans who did not have a 100% disability rating and offering to help them obtain that rating for a cash fee. Investigators say he told veterans exactly what false information to provide when attending medical evaluations and completing their disability application paperwork. According to the DOJ, Haines City Police Captain Gabriel García is one of eight others who took advantage of these illegal services to fraudulently increase their disability ratings — and, in turn, receive more money. García, who is a veteran, is accused of fraudulently obtaining a 100% disability rating. "These indictments and arrests highlight the VA OIG’s dedication to root out those who prey on veterans for financial gain, along with anyone who exaggerates or concocts a disability to receive or increase VA compensation benefits," David Spilker, special agent in charge at the VA's southeast field office, said. García was charged with: Theft of government money, conspiracy Mail fraud Wire fraud Mail fraud, conspiracy Wire fraud, conspiracy If convicted, García could face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy mail and wire fraud counts. García has been with the Haines City Police Department since Nov. 5, 2007. He is currently on paid leave from the department. Haines City Police Chief Jay Hopwood called García's arrest a "betrayal of the badge and everything this department stands for," adding that the department is fully cooperating with federal authorities.