A Mississippi man has been indicted for impersonating a deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service.

William Gilchrist, a resident of Greenville, Mississippi, was indicted on July 19, 2024. The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, charges Gilchrist with violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 912.

According to the indictment, Gilchrist falsely assumed the identity of a Fugitive Task Force Officer with the U.S. Marshals Service on or about June 19, 2024. Gilchrist faces severe penalties if convicted, including up to 3 years in prison, one year of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and that Gilchrist’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit leads the prosecution.