Solsberry man accused of impersonating an officer while "investigating" an ongoing missing person case

Thursday, February 12, 2015
Danny Ray Deckard

A Solsberry man accused of impersonating a law enforcement officer allegedly misled people about his identity and was requesting information for an investigation into a missing person case.

Danny Ray Deckard, 21, with a home address listed in jail records on North Camp Branch Road, Solsberry, was taken into custody by Indiana State Police Detective Michael Robbins and booked into the Greene County Jail at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday.

A criminal case was filed against Deckard in Greene Superior Court Thursday.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Deckard went to a residence on East Tulip Road on Feb. 3, verbally identified himself as Danny Deckard, an undercover narcotics officer, and when he spoke to two individuals at the residence, he requested "any information in regards to the missing persons investigation on Dec. 31, 2014."

Although the affidavit does not specifically name the person missing, it is widely known that Marina Boelter was last seen on Dec. 31 in Bloomfield.

An investigation into Deckard's activity began on Feb. 7 when one of residents that had allegedly been questioned by Deckard contacted law enforcement and reported the incident.

The resident said the two had no information about the case but they did show their identification cards to Deckard and he wrote down that information. The detective said that put them at greater risk of becoming victims of identity deception.

When Deckard was subsequently interviewed by Detective Robbins at the sheriff's department, Deckard allegedly told the officer that he drove himself to the sheriff's department in his Cadillac. A check of his driving status returned results that his license is suspended and that he has a previous conviction for driving while suspended.

In a recorded interview, Deckard allegedly admitted he had been to the residence on Tulip Road to obtain more information for the missing person investigation.

According to the affidavit, "Deckard advised that he has 'BS'ed people while he is out investigating the missing person investigation. Deckard advised that he has verbally identified himself as an undercover narcotics officer to people in the community."

As of late Thursday afternoon, Deckard was still in jail with a bond set at $5,000 surety with ten percent allowed.

When he appears in court for an initial hearing, he will be charged with impersonation of a public servant, specifically a law enforcement officer, a Level 6 felony, and driving while suspended with a prior conviction within 10 years, a Class A misdemeanor.

The Indiana State Police Bloomington Post issued a press release Thursday saying those who impersonate police officers erode the public's trust in law enforcement and may endanger unsuspecting people.

They offered tips to use to use to protect oneself during a traffic stop or encounter while helping police officers do their jobs.

Tips for Protecting You from Law Enforcement Impersonators

Check to see if the officer is in a marked vehicle that identifies a Law Enforcement Agency.

Is the officer in uniform? Look for a badge and ask for identification.

Police officers carry identification clearly identifying them and their agency.

If you doubt the identity of someone trying to pull you over, proceed to a well-lit, busy place such as a gas station, fast food restaurant, convenience store, or police station. While doing so, turn on your emergency flashers to notify the officer that you are aware he or she is trying to pull you over and call 911.

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