Teen Who Posed as Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Reduced Charge
|
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth) October 11, 2008 Section: B Teen who posed as police officer pleads guilty to reduced charge MARTHA DELLER , mdeller@star-telegram.com FORT WORTH -- An 18-year-old Arlington man arrested in January on suspicion of posing as a police officer and pulling over motorists was sentenced Friday to two years' probation after pleading guilty to a reduced charge. Nasr Saleh and Lonnie Berry III, who police said posed as Saleh's police partner, were charged with impersonating a public servant, a third-degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Saleh pleaded guilty Friday to false alarm/report, a Class A misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail. Under a plea agreement, however, District Judge George Gallagher sentenced Saleh to two years' probation, 100 hours of community service and a $200 fine. If he completes his probation, he won't have a criminal record. Defense attorney Wes Ball noted that even police said the two teens were playing a fantasy prank, using badges, red lights and air pistols to pull over motorists and give them verbal warnings about speeding or other traffic violations. "They were not using this to carjack or sexually assault people," Ball said. Berry, 19, of Fort Worth, is expected to accept a similar plea bargain on Halloween, he said. "His attorney has advised him not to wear a police uniform," Ball quipped.
|
