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Mississippi Man Sentenced for Impersonating Federal Law Enforcement
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A mississippi resident has been sentenced for fraudulently posing as a federal law enforcement officer. William Gilchrist, of Greenville, Mississippi, was sentenced on June 24, 2025, to three years of probation and a $4,000 fine after being convicted of impersonating a deputy U.S. Marshal. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Susie Morgan.
Details of the Impersonation
According to court documents, Gilchrist falsely claimed to be a member of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force around June 19, 2024. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. Impersonating a federal officer carries a potential penalty of up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as outlined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 912.
Did You Know? impersonating a federal officer is a serious crime, even if no immediate harm is caused. The act undermines public trust in law enforcement and can obstruct legitimate investigations.
The Rising Trend of Impersonation
Instances of individuals falsely representing themselves as law enforcement officers are becoming increasingly prevalent nationwide. In Washington state, Ilya Kukhar was recently charged with posing as an ICE officer [[1]]. Similarly, in Florida, a man used a fake badge to rob a hotel guest at gunpoint while claiming to be a police officer [[2]]. Authorities have also noted a surge