Fake Marshal in custody after threatening arrests
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A woman has been arrested for posing as a U.S. Marshal and threatening to arrest local residents.
According to the Parker Police Department, Marcia Lowery, 40, walked around an RV park near Panama City claiming to be a U.S. Marshal and wearing a shirt that said police.
Police said Lowery threatened to arrest unruly juveniles in the area. They said she also threatened to place a resident who was facing an outstanding warrant for misdemeanor charges in protective custody.
Residents became suspicious and alerted authorities. Lowery was arrested Sunday.
Parker Police Sgt. Aaron Wilson said Lowery told her apartment manager she was a law enforcement officer. The manager came up with an agreement to allow Lowery to live for free as long as she kept an "eye" on the area.
Wilson said Lowery racked up $1,500 worth of free rent while acting as a marshal for possibly more than a month.
Police said she claimed to have moved to the area from Alabama after her young child was shot in the head during a drug shootout. Police said she also told residents in the RV park she got revenge and shot her son's killer, then asked to be moved following the incident.
Wilson said Lowery also was approaching people to serve as informants to purchase drugs for her, perhaps not knowing she wasn't an officer.
"Obviously, (impersonating an officer) is against the law number one, which will lead to your arrest sooner or later," said Officer Dave Northway, spokesman for the Tallahassee police department. "Secondly, you're placing many people in danger by doing this."
Anyone accused of impersonating an officer faces felony charges.
Lowery is charged with false impersonation of an officer, grand theft and giving false information to law enforcement.
Wilson said Lowery could also face federal charges from the U.S. Attorney's Office.