A Tinton Falls man, who is also a previously convicted felon, has been arrested for impersonating a DEA Agent as well as being charged for illegally possessing a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced on Thursday.

It was October 22, 2021 when 34-year old Wesley Rucker's rouse came to a halt in the E.R. of a hospital in Red Bank.

He was there seeking treatment for an undisclosed injury when hospital staff noticed he had a handgun in his waistband.

Attorney Honig said that Rucker informed hospital security he was in law enforcement and showed them a DEA I-D.

While they looked into his claims, they asked Rucker to put his handgun in a security office locker.

As they sensed his claim was suspicious in nature, hospital security called Red Bank Police who confronted Rucker on scene where he doubled down on his DEA Agent claim showing them the same I-D.

Red Bank Police began looking into his claims and while that was happening Rucker tried leaving the hospital and without his gun but officers quickly arrested him and seized the fake I-D and fake badge.

It was then police learned Rucker was a previously convicted felon with on prior affiliation with the DEA.

Rucker has since been charged by complaint with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of impersonating a federal agent, and one count of possession of an imitation badge.

Attorney Honig said that the felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The impersonation of a federal agent charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The possession of an imitation badge charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison, and a fine of up to $5,000.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Matthews of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

Defense counsel: Brian P. Reilly Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Trenton.

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