Utah man was impersonating federal agents, charges state

KAYSVILLE — What started as a domestic violence call allegedly caused by a thrown pillow has now grown into a federal investigation of weapons charges and impersonating an officer.

Jacob Thompson, 39, was charged in federal court Monday with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to charging documents, the investigation began Wednesday when Kaysville police responded to a domestic violence call. Thompson, who allegedly pushed a woman by her neck onto a bed and threw a pillow at her, was arrested by Kaysville police for investigation of assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child and drug possession, according to a police affidavit.

As the investigation into the incident continued, members of the U.S. Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team Task Force learned that Thompson “had been identifying himself as a United States marshal and past DEA agent,” federal charging documents state.

Thompson’s girlfriend gave investigators a U.S. marshal badge and a Drug Enforcement Administration agent badge, both attached to a leather belt, that Thompson used, the charges state.

“Both badges appeared to be authentic until closer inspection such as missing badge numbers typically engraved on the backsides,” according to charging documents.

The girlfriend said she met Thompson online and he immediately told her he was a U.S. marshal after being with the Drug Enforcement Administration for 15 years.

The girlfriend stated that “on numerous occasions, Thompson walks through the common areas of the apartment complex with his U.S. marshal’s badge and body armor with additional U.S. marshal insignia. (She) stated she has been present and witnessed Thompson identify himself as a U.S. marshal to neighbors, apartment staff, and children in the area,” the charges state.

Upon further inspection of their apartment, investigators found body armor, two AR-15s without serial numbers and with barrels that are illegal, a custom-built handgun without a serial number, and additional items typically associated with policing such as flash-bangs, according to the charges.

Investigators then learned Thompson was convicted of theft and larceny in 2010, was a probation fugitive at the time of his arrest and was not allowed to possess guns, the charges state.

Kaysville police are asking anyone who was approached by Thompson while he was allegedly impersonating a federal officer to contact them at 801-546-1131.