WARREN, Ohio - A Kinsman man accused of falsifying records in order to get license plates designated for wounded war veterans has entered a no contest plea to the charges.

Several representatives from veterans organizations were in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on Thursday to watch Judge Ronald Rice find 34-year-old Keith Chandler guilty to seven counts of tampering with records and one count of forgery.

Authorities say Chandler misled the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in order to obtain Purple Heart license plates.

The Purple Heart is a decoration awarded by the United States to those wounded or killed, while serving in the military.

The Department of Motor Vehicles traced his record and uncovered the alleged crime.

In spite of the guilty plea, Chandler's attorney promised to appeal because he believes the charge is a misdemeanor, and not a felony.