Date: December 27, 2023
Case: Impersonating a Police Officer
Authority: Lieutenant of Detectives Tim Kemps
A thirty-five-year-old Germantown man was charged in Washington County Circuit Court on Tuesday with attempting to trick and extort victims into sending explicit photographs by posing as a Washington County sheriff deputy and a local attorney. Daniel Anderson now faces several charges including extortion, impersonating a police officer, and disorderly conduct. Anderson was arrested on December 22nd by Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigators after nearly a month and a half-long investigation.
The investigation started after one victim came forward and reported contact by someone via text messages claiming to be a deputy. The individual offered to help her rid legal charges the victim was facing in exchange for explicit photos and sex acts. Anderson told the victim he could purge the pending criminal charges from the computer system in exchange for her cooperation. Investigators subsequently took over communication with Anderson, posing as the victim, while they worked to identify the suspect who had sent a photograph to undercover investigators of what he claimed to be himself in uniform. During the initial investigation, it was learned that Anderson had also contacted other victims. In one case, Anderson attempted to obtain photos from another victim by posing to be her husband’s divorce attorney.
As the investigation progressed it was determined that Anderson was a tow driver for Homer’s Towing, and he had identified two victims from towing their vehicles after law enforcement requested tow services. In both cases, Anderson contacted the victims shortly after towing their vehicles. Washington County investigators worked in conjunction with the Homer’s Towing service on this investigation. The towing service has been fully cooperative and has always been a terrific partner with public safety agencies throughout Washington County. We look forward to continuing our work together in the future.
Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis stated, “this case is particularly concerning because the suspect betrayed our communities trust by using his position as a tow driver to manipulate vulnerable victims. Tow drivers are critical public safety partners, and he took advantage of that relationship. I want to thank Homer’s Towing for terminating the suspect’s employment shortly after their notification of the arrest.”
No other victims have been identified at this time however if you had your car towed by Homer’s Towing and received suspicious text messages shortly afterward, we would like to hear from you. You can contact me at [email protected] or call (262) 335-4846.
According to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
