A resident of Tinton Falls was arrested on Dec. 2 for allegedly impersonating a federal agent and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Wesley Rucker, 34, is charged by complaint with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of impersonating a federal agent and one count of possession of an imitation badge, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of New Jersey.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, on Oct. 22, 2021, Rucker sought treatment in the emergency room of a Red Bank hospital. Hospital personnel noticed Rucker had a handgun in his waistband.
Rucker told hospital security personnel he was a member of law enforcement and displayed a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identification. Hospital security personnel had Rucker store his handgun in a locker in the hospital’s security office.
Hospital personnel contacted the Red Bank Police Department after becoming suspicious of Rucker’s claimed affiliation with federal law enforcement. Responding officers confronted Rucker and he told the officers he was a “DEA agent.” Rucker displayed the same DEA identification to the officers.
As the officers were investigating Rucker’s claims, Rucker attempted to leave the hospital without his handgun. Officers took Rucker into custody and seized the fake identification along with a fake DEA badge Rucker had not used. Officers learned Rucker was a previously convicted felon who had no prior affiliation with the DEA.
The felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The impersonation of a federal agent charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The possession of an imitation badge charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, according to the press release.
Honig credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews; officers of the Red Bank Police Department, under the direction of Chief Darren McConnell; members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Lori Linskey; special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson; and officers of the Old Bridge Police Department, under Acting Chief Joseph P. Mandola Jr., with the investigation leading to the charges.
