City Man Charged with Impersonating FBI Agent

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—Today, Justin Thomas Mathew, 34, from Oklahoma City, was charged with falsely impersonating an FBI agent, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

According to the complaint and supporting affidavit, on August 14, 2009, an unknown male, later identified as Mathew, came into an Oklahoma City business, identified himself as Justin with the FBI and showed identification that had his picture, the letters “FBI” and a badge. Mathew asked the business about illegal activity and stated that the manager was being investigated.  

On August 18, 2009, it is alleged that a man, later identified as Mathew, entered a business and told the manager that he needed to speak with the owner, claimed to be an FBI agent, and showed a badge to the manager.  It is alleged that Mathew remained in the club asking the manager for information regarding what goes on in the club and whether they allow drugs, prostitution, and other illegal activity. 

On August 31, 2009, it is alleged that an Oklahoma City police officer conducted a traffic stop where the driver (Mathew) told the officer that he was working for the FBI as a systems analyst. After further investigation, it is alleged that the officer confirmed that Mathew did not work for the FBI and found various items in Mathews’ possession including an FBI ball cap, an FBI windbreaker, a New York City Police ball cap, two photo ID cards with Mathew's picture and the letters FBI, a photo of Mathew holding an ID case with badge, and a framed certificate of achievement bearing his name and the letters FBI.

On September 5, 2010, it is also alleged that the Moore Police Department was dispatched to a suspicious person call where a witness reported that a man had stated that he was there to arrest someone attending a wedding. The man, later identified as Mathew, showed the witness a flip wallet containing an FBI badge and FBI identification card. When contacted, Mathew falsely stated he was with the FBI, that he was working security at the neighboring church, and that he was there to request that the people at the club quiet down. Mathew was then observed by a Moore Police Officer trying to discard a wallet which contained an FBI badge and FBI identification card bearing Mathew's name and photo. Further investigation resulted in discovery of an ID card and badge, the FBI ball cap, and LED plug in flashing emergency lights in Mathew’s possession. 

Mathew had his initial appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City.

If convicted, Mathew faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The public is reminded that the complaint is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Reference is made to the complaint for further information.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Walling and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley L. Altshuler.