Marion County Man Pleads Guilty To Impersonating A Deputy United States Marshal

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Derry Wayne Lambert (52, Belleview) has pleaded guilty to false impersonation of a federal officer. Lambert faces a maximum penalty of 3 years in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement, on July 31, 2023, a deputy from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office observed Lambert driving a pickup truck with no agency markings that had activated red/blue emergency lights and an audible siren. When confronted by the deputy, Lambert claimed to be a Deputy United States Marshal from Texas. Though he had no law enforcement credentials, Lambert was wearing a hat with the logo “Police - U.S. Marshal.” He presented the deputy with a false U.S. Marshal badge. Further investigation revealed that Lambert had no affiliation with the U.S. Marshals Service. Deputies also recovered a .380 caliber pistol in the center console of Lambert’s truck.

Lambert’s truck, hat, and badge.

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.