An intoxicated man impersonating an ATF agent was arrested on May 1, 2023, outside the Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland. According to the police report, the man, identified as 64-year-old Glenn Anthony Atkins, was wearing an FBI hat and a gold-colored badge hanging from his neck. He told officers he was an ATF agent but could not provide any further information regarding his employment with the agency or show any law enforcement credentials.
At approximately 5:00 p.m., officers responded to a call regarding an intoxicated male outside of the medical center. Witnesses reported that the male exposed his genitals while urinating near the roadway. When the officers arrived at the scene, they found Atkins still wearing the FBI hat and the gold-colored badge.
Upon questioning, Atkins claimed to be an ATF agent but could not provide any badge or credentials to support his claim. The officers suspected that Atkins was impersonating a law enforcement officer and arrested him.
Atkins was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and indecent exposure. He was taken to the Anne Arundel County Detention Center, where he was held without bond pending a bail review hearing.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of law enforcement credentials and the potential for individuals to impersonate law enforcement officers. The ATF and FBI have not yet stated the incident.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations, impersonating a law enforcement officer is a federal crime. The penalties for this crime can include fines and imprisonment for up to three years.
The incident has also raised concerns about public safety, as individuals impersonating law enforcement officers can threaten the community. The public is advised to be cautious and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
In recent years, several high-profile cases have been of individuals impersonating law enforcement officers. In 2019, a man in California was arrested for impersonating a police officer and attempting to pull over a driver on the highway. In 2020, a man in Texas was arrested for impersonating a US Marshal and attempting to arrest a woman.
These incidents highlight the need for law enforcement agencies to protect their credentials and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to them. The public can also play a role in preventing incidents of impersonation by reporting any suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
The incident involving Glenn Anthony Atkins is currently under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Annapolis Police Department.