NEWBERRY — A 39-year-old Chapin man was arrested late Friday for impersonating a police officer after he represented himself as a personal bodyguard to Gov. Nikki Haley.
According to a press release from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, several complaints were received about a man presenting himself as a State Law Enforcement Division agent assigned to the Governor’s Security Task Force.
During the investigation, investigators learned that the suspect had identified himself as a licensed private investigator, when in fact he is not, and had presented several business cards to people in the community soliciting business as WSF Investigations, Sheriff Lee Foster stated in a press release.
The suspect was identified as William Scott Fowler of 201 Newberry Drive in Chapin. His bond was set at $10,000.
Investigators with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office learned that Fowler was convicted of forgery in 1992, of impersonating an officer in 1995, of credit card theft in 1995, defrauding a federally insured institution in 1998, and has a number fraudulent check convictions, according to the release.
Based on witness statements and evidence, investigators interviewed Fowler, who admitted to the charges. Fowler was charged by the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office with impersonating a police officer. He was also charged with soliciting business as a private investigator by the State Law Enforcement Division.
Additionally, SLED charged Fowler with forgery and filing a false affidavit with the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles after it was learned he forged documents to obtain a Fraternal Order of Police license plate, Foster said in the release.
Foster said investigators are still working with state and federal authorities and additional charges might be filed.
Investigators are asking anyone who had contact with Fowler during which he identified himself as a police officer or offered private investigator services to contact the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office at 321-2222.
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