PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria man who allegedly posed as a Peoria County Sheriff’s deputy and pulled over a driver last month has been charged and ordered held until trial.
Dennis Walker, 43, who formerly went by the name Josh Coats, was charged Thursday with False Personation of a Peace Officer. A judge granted the state’s request for detention, meaning Walker will remain in custody until trial. He is also charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.
On May 27, a driver was pulled over in the 5800 block of Plank Road by a man claiming to be a sheriff’s deputy. The man, later identified as Walker, was driving an unmarked Ford Explorer with red and blue lights on the dashboard. He was dressed in black and wearing a vest resembling those worn by deputies, complete with a silver star but no nameplate or body camera.
Walker told the driver his license was suspended, then cut it in half and attempted to hand him a handwritten citation. When the driver insisted his license was valid and confronted Walker, he tore up the citation and drove away.
Walker was taken into custody on June 2. A search of his home turned up several uniforms, multiple badges, tactical gear, and a rifle.
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