Man from Las Cruces, New Mexico sentenced to 8 months in prison for impersonating U.S. Marshal

           ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Aaron Tyler Stroud, 39, of Las Cruces, New Mexico was sentenced in federal court in Las Cruces on June 10 to eight months and 12 days in prison for false personation of an officer or employee of the United States.

           According to public court documents, Stroud committed the offense in Doña Ana County on Sept. 29, 2019.  He approached an officer from the Las Cruces Police Department who was responding to a report of domestic violence.  Stroud claimed to be an officer of the U.S. Marshal Service.  He was wearing a shirt with “U.S. Marshal” printed on it.  Stroud also carried a radio, a false badge, and a holstered firearm.  He said he routinely patrolled the area. Stroud had previously intervened in the domestic dispute by pretending to be a deputy Marshal and pointing his gun at the man and woman involved in the dispute.

           Stroud will receive credit for time already served in custody.  He also must serve a two-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment.

           The United States Marshal Service and Las Cruces Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joni Autrey Stahl prosecuted the case.