Union, Missouri, Man Charged With Impersonating a Federal Agent

St. Louis, MO – Timothy Rosselli, aka Timothy Rossell, aka Austyn Gardner, aka Austyn Labella, Union, Missouri, was arrested today on a federal arrest warrant charging him with impersonating a federal agent.

According to the criminal complaint filed in United States District Court yesterday, Rosselli had been living with a girlfriend in the Union, Missouri, area and holding himself out as a Deputy United States Marshal named Austyn Gardner.  When Rosselli left his Union residence suddenly on October 9, his girlfriend called the local police who, with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service, quickly determined Rosselli’s identification and other USMS paraphernalia where counterfeit and fraudulent. 

The investigation soon identified a second girlfriend in Ft. Myers, Florida.  This second girlfriend knew Rosselli as "Austyn Labella," a deputy United States Marshal for whom she had purchased two sports cars, including a white Lamborghini.  This second girlfriend directed investigators to Effingham, Illinois, where Effingham police located him attempting to purchase a bus ticket.  Rosselli had explained to the second girlfriend that the Lamborghini had blown a tire and he needed alternate transportation.

Rosselli appeared in court this morning in St. Louis.  The government has sought Rosselli’s detention pending trial.  Rosselli has numerous prior convictions for fraud and deceit and is wanted on parole violations in Missouri courts and in his native state of Pennsylvania.   If convicted of impersonation of a federal officer, Rosselli faces up to three years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 or both.  Restitution to any victims of his deception will also be sought.

Rosselli is suspected of deceiving others into believing he was a federal officer. Anyone with information on Rosselli or any of his aliases is requested to contact the U.S. Marshals Service – Investigations Bureau at 314-539-2040.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service with assistance from the Union (Missouri) Police Department and the Effingham (Illinois) Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in a criminal complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.