Aaron Tyler Stroud, Impersonating a U.S. Marshal, New Mexico 2019

Aaron Tyler Stroud, 38, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, made his initial appearance in federal court in Las Cruces on Wednesday on a criminal complaint charging him with impersonating an officer of the United States.

According to the complaint, Stroud allegedly committed the offense in Doña Ana County, N.M., on September 29, 2019. He allegedly approached officers from the Las Cruces Police who were responding to a call from dispatch. Stroud allegedly provided the officers with a false name and told them he was a member of the U.S. Marshals Service from the El Paso sector. Stroud allegedly claimed he regularly patrolled the area. He was allegedly wearing a t-shirt with “U.S. Marshal” written on it and carrying a gun, radio, and badge with a six-point star.

Stroud is currently in custody awaiting preliminary and detention hearings scheduled for October 7. He faces up to three years in prison. A criminal complaint is only an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case with the FBI and Las Cruces Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joni Stahl of the Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

Stroud, a 38-year-old man from Las Cruces, New Mexico, has been charged with impersonating an officer of the United States. This is a serious offense that can have severe consequences. The U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, and Las Cruces Police Department have worked together to bring this case to light.

The case against Stroud serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying the identity of individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers. It is crucial to be cautious when interacting with individuals who claim to be in a position of authority.

Aaron Tyler Stroud, the defendant in this case, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The court will determine his fate based on the evidence presented. The public should be aware of the seriousness of this offense and the potential consequences of impersonating a law enforcement officer.

This case is a reminder that law enforcement agencies are working together to combat crime and keep our communities safe. The public can help by reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/man-las-cruces-nm-charged-impersonating-deputy-us-marshal