Darryl Jason Emerson, a former bail bondsman, was sentenced today to 3 months’ home confinement followed by three years’ probation for impersonating a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced. Emerson’s sentence follows his November 21, 2006 guilty plea. Murphy was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, FBI Special Agent in Charge.

United States District Judge Denise Page Hood also ordered Emerson to participate in an anger management course and not seek employment in the law enforcement or security field without the permission of the U.S. Probation Department.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI, Emerson entered a Detroit nightclub in February 2006 and approached a female. Emerson identified himself as an FBI agent and demanded that the victim follow him to the door because he had a warrant for her arrest.

Emerson told the victim that if she did not come willingly, he would put her in handcuffs and drag her out of the bar. A bystander called 911, while the victim followed Emerson to the door of the nightclub. Detroit Police Department officers arrived, arrested Emerson, and searched him. Emerson had a .40 caliber Glock pistol, a black holster, a can of pepper spray, body armor, handcuffs, a “Fugitive Recovery Agent” badge, a Michigan Concealed Pistol License and a “United States Fugitive Service” identification card.

Emerson has never been an FBI agent or any other sworn law enforcement officer. Under Michigan and federal law, Emerson is prohibited from possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.

U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy said, "Impersonating a federal agent is a serious offense because it carries the potential for abuse of a perceived position of lawful authority. The public must be able to rely on the representation that a person is a federal agent. Because federal agents are trained to present their credentials when they identify themselves in an official capacity, a citizen should never be in doubt concerning such a representation.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.

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