Former reserve sheriff’s deputy for Henry County is charged with impersonating a peace officer in connection with an illegal traffic stop in the Tumbleton community of Henry County on Sept. 19. Authorities say Charles Shelley, 22, of Headland drove a pickup truck with blue lights in the dash and pulled over a 19-year-old woman. He claimed to be an off-duty police officer, according to court records and media reports. The woman wasn’t injured.
Shelley was arrested Sunday and released from the Henry County Jail after posting $3,000 bond, court records show. “I think he’s just a wannabe police officer. I don’t think he ever had any violent intentions,” Henry County Sheriff William Maddox told the Dothan Eagle. “I’ve known him ever since he was a little boy, and I never thought anything like this would ever happen.”
Maddow served as a reserve or volunteer deputy with the sheriff’s department for a year. He was released form duty after his arrest, the newspaper reported. Authorities don’t believe Shelley is connected with three other police imposter cases in Henry County, Slocomb and Eufaula.
Legal Analysis: One of the biggest fears is to have a police officer harm us. Especially in cases for women who may be stopped on the side of the road by blue lights, to have someone impersonating an officer is one of the scariest situations they can have themselves in.
There has been an up rise in officer impersonations in the last several years. I advise people to always be cautious when being pulled over by a police officer. There are precautions one can take including driving to a well-lit area, don’t stop on abandoned roads or areas, and call 911 to let them know you are being pulled over and have them on the phone in case something goes wrong.
Keep in mind that this person accused in the story is presumed innocent by law. Hopefully justice will be served.
About the Author: Eric Guster is known nationwide as an attorney and legal analyst. Guster appears weekly on Fox News, CNN and MSNBC providing legal insight into the nation’s most interesting and complex cases. His law firm, Guster Law Firm, is based in Birmingham, AL. If you are in need of legal assistance, call Eric Guster at Guster Law Firm today at 205-581-9777 or email Eric@gusterlawfirm.com.
For the origina story visit: http://www.al.com/news/montgomery/index.ssf/2015/10/off-duty_alabama_reserve_deput.html#incart_river_home
