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Department of Justice United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, October 1, 2009 |
CONTACT: Brian McGinn PHONE: 540-857-2974 FAX: 540-857-2179 EMAIL: Brian.McGinn@usdoj.gov www.usdoj.gov/usao/vaw |
FORTY-ONE YEAR MAN INDICTED FOR IMPERSONATING A
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL
Cecil Elswick Was Also Charged With Being A Felon In Possession Of A Weapon
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA -- A 41-year-old man originally from West Virginia was arrested last week in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee on charges that he illegally possessed a firearm and impersonated a United States Government Official.
Cecil George Elswick, who has no discernable legal place of residency, was arrested in the early morning hours of September 21, 2009 outside of a cabin he was renting in Sevier County, Tenn. Prior to his arrest, which happened without incident, Elswick was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Roanoke, Va. on September 17, 2009.
The grand jury charged Elswick with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of impersonating an officer of the Army of the United States, who had obtained things of value and one count of wearing the uniform of an officer of the Army of the United States without authority.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Defense Criminal Investigative Serivces, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Salem, Va. Police Department. The Sevier County, Tenn. Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the arrest. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Bassford will prosecute the case for the United States.
A Grand Jury indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.