Fake U.S. marshal convicted
By RICHARD BURGESS
rburgess@theadvocate.com
Acadiana bureau
LAFAYETTE -- A Eunice man accused of storming into a Krotz Springs home under the guise of a U.S. marshal and terrorizing a family while demanding drugs and money was convicted Wednesday on charges of impersonating a federal officer and performing an unlawful search.
Nicholas P. Chapman, 29, faces up to three years in prison on each of the charges.
In a two-day trial this week, prosecutors said that Chapman -- wearing a badge and wielding a pistol -- entered Nolan Ellis' home on Nov. 23, 2004, and announced that he was a U.S. marshal searching for drugs and money.
Chapman held the man's family at gunpoint for 2‰ hours before leaving with $1,300, most of it money set aside for Christmas presents, according to trial testimony.
Investigators said that Chapman, who has no law enforcement experience, ordered "U.S. Marshal" T-shirts, jackets and badges off the Internet and outfitted his Ford Crown Victoria with emergency lights and a police radio.
Chapman also faces state charges of armed robbery and false impersonation of an officer in St. Landry Parish in connection with the Krotz Springs home invasion and a similar incident in Arnaudville.
He could face up to 99 years in prison if convicted on the armed robbery charges.
No sentencing date has been set on the federal charges.
Chapman's attorney, Lester Gauthier, said he plans to appeal the federal conviction.
"Threatening and terrorizing people using a firearm as you steal their money, all while impersonating a federal officer, is a heinous crime deserving of a long prison sentence," U.S. Attorney Donald Washington said in a written statement about the case.
By RICHARD BURGESS
rburgess@theadvocate.com
Acadiana bureau
LAFAYETTE -- A Eunice man accused of storming into a Krotz Springs home under the guise of a U.S. marshal and terrorizing a family while demanding drugs and money was convicted Wednesday on charges of impersonating a federal officer and performing an unlawful search.
Nicholas P. Chapman, 29, faces up to three years in prison on each of the charges.
In a two-day trial this week, prosecutors said that Chapman -- wearing a badge and wielding a pistol -- entered Nolan Ellis' home on Nov. 23, 2004, and announced that he was a U.S. marshal searching for drugs and money.
Chapman held the man's family at gunpoint for 2‰ hours before leaving with $1,300, most of it money set aside for Christmas presents, according to trial testimony.
Investigators said that Chapman, who has no law enforcement experience, ordered "U.S. Marshal" T-shirts, jackets and badges off the Internet and outfitted his Ford Crown Victoria with emergency lights and a police radio.
Chapman also faces state charges of armed robbery and false impersonation of an officer in St. Landry Parish in connection with the Krotz Springs home invasion and a similar incident in Arnaudville.
He could face up to 99 years in prison if convicted on the armed robbery charges.
No sentencing date has been set on the federal charges.
Chapman's attorney, Lester Gauthier, said he plans to appeal the federal conviction.
"Threatening and terrorizing people using a firearm as you steal their money, all while impersonating a federal officer, is a heinous crime deserving of a long prison sentence," U.S. Attorney Donald Washington said in a written statement about the case.
