Marshal Impersonator arrested

According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron, James R. Jones, of Marshes Siding was arrested Saturday after a Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy and Kentucky State Police Trooper Shaler Jones went to his residence after reviewing evidence, including a photograph posted on Facebook led them to identifying Jones as a suspect.

When confronted with the accusation Jones reportedly admitted he had committed the act, and turned over a pair of handcuffs and a federal marshal badge, which he had buried on his property in an attempt to hide the evidence, to officers after the arrest.

The case started in Wayne County when the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department started receiving reports of a man attempting to make traffic stops near the border of Kentucky and Tennessee on Highway 167, claiming to be looking for an escaped convict.

The suspect was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, which was pulled close around his head making it hard to see his face. He was armed with a firearm and brandished a badge reports said.

A few days later after the initial reports, the suspect apparently attempted a similar tactic in McCreary County, approaching homeowners in the Wiborg area.

Jones was charged with a total of 10 counts of Impersonating a Peace Officer, nine stemming from the Wayne County incidents, and one from McCreary County.

The charge is considered a Class D felony, punishable by 1 to 5 years imprisonment, but additional charges are likely as the case moves forward.

Jones was lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.