Methuen Man Who Impersonated Law Enforcement Officer to Buy Guns Faces 10 Years in Prison

File photograph. (Image licensed by Ingram Image.)

A 33-year-old Methuen man who falsely presented himself to be a law enforcement officer to purchase two Glock firearms faces up to 10 years in prison, the Department of Justice said in a statement.

Arrested April 17, Justin F. Watson appeared in a Boston federal court to answer to charges related to an illegal purchase in 2018. Court documents allege Watson, a security officer and campus dispatcher for the Cape Cod Community College Police, ordered a pistol despite not having the power to carry a weapon nor make arrests on campus.

Watson provided his Cape Cod Community College ID card to the firearms dealer and said he was a “police officer with authority to make arrests,” officials said.

In a separate incident, Watson was joined by his girlfriend who presented herself as his boss and said he had authority to make arrests. During that transaction, Watson is said to have purchased the weapon and allegedly transferred the Glock Model 26 to girlfriend.

Watson later admitted to his actions—known as a “straw purchase”—in an interview with police.

He faces up to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release, along with a $250,000 fine, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

Comments are closed.