Pretend U.S. Marshal Caught by Real U.S. Marshals Task Force

Memphis, TN -- A man alleged to have represented himself falsely as a deputy U.S. marshal was arrested today by the U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Averick Nickson was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury for falsely assuming the identity of a deputy U.S. marshal. Nickson had on at least two occasions allegedly identified himself to law enforcement officers as an employee of the U.S. Marshals Service. On one occasion he reportedly did so to avoid the possible issuance of a speeding ticket.

Nickson was arrested at his home in Memphis. During the execution of the warrant a sizable amount of police equipment was found, including but not limited to guns, tactical vests, badges and identification cards, and radios. His personal car was also equipped with emergency lights.

Nickson is a former employee of the Dresden, TN Police Department and the Weakly County Sheriff’s Office.  He was transported to the federal building downtown without incident where he had his initial court appearance.

The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force with divisions in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. The Western Tennessee Division of the GCRFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, Madison County Sheriff’s Deputies, Jackson Police Officers, and the Tennessee Department of Corrections Special Agents. The primary mission of the Task Force is to arrest violent offenders and sexual predators.