Wentzville Man Pleads Guilty to Impersonating an FBI Agent and Possession of a Document-Making Implement

Public Safety

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Have a concern or an opinion about this story? Click below to share your thoughts.
Send a Letter

The following press release was published by the U.S. Secret Service on Nov. 27, 2018. It is reproduced in full below.

According to court documents, the Wentzville Police Department received a report that Van Ronzelen falsely represented that he was a Federal agent to an off-duty police officer. At the time he encountered the off-duty officer, Van Ronzelen possessed and displayed a fraudulent Federal Bureau of Investigation identification card and what appeared to be a law enforcement badge. During a search of the defendants residence, investigators recovered various fraudulent press and law enforcement credentials, including White House Press Pool credentials. Investigators also recovered a laptop computer which contained images and templates used to make the various credentials. "If someone knocking on your door identifies him/herself as an FBI special agent, you can easily verify that information," said Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI St. Louis Division. "Ask to see FBI credentials, which includes a photo, and then call the local FBI field office to confirm." Van Ronzelen faces a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison and a fine of $5,000 on the possession of a fraudulent FBI identification card and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a document-making implement. In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provides recommended sentencing ranges. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Wentzville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorneys Office.

-- Eastern District of Missouri

Source: U.S. Secret Service

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Have a concern or an opinion about this story? Click below to share your thoughts.
Send a Letter

Submit Your Story

Know of a story that needs to be covered? Pitch your story to The HomelandNewswire.
Submit Your Story

More News