By: Najla Alexander
NJ authorities announced that a Monmouth County man was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing fraudulent Drug Enforcement Administration credentials while impersonating a federal law enforcement agent.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Wesley Rucker, 36, of Tinton Falls, is charged by indictment with one count each of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, false impersonation of an officer of the United States, and possession of imitation federal law enforcement credentials.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Officials said on Oct. 22, 2021, Rucker, a previously convicted felon, sought medical treatment in the emergency room of a hospital in Red Bank.
According to officials, while administering medical assistance, hospital staff observed a handgun in Rucker’s waistband.
Rucker told hospital staff, and later local police officials stated, that he was a federal law enforcement officer and displayed fraudulent credentials falsely identifying Rucker as an employee of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
As a previously convicted felon, Rucker is not permitted to possess a firearm under federal law, authorities say.
The count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine, officials said, and the count of false impersonation of an officer of the United States carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Officials say the count of possession of imitation federal law enforcement credentials carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine.