Broward Man Pleads Guilty to Impersonating an FBI Agent

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announce that Daniel F. Cleary, 48, of Weston, Florida, pled guilty Friday to impersonating a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 912. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 15, 2011 at 1:45 p.m. before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas.

According to in court statements and documents filed with the court during Friday’s hearing, on January 13, 2011, Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call regarding property damage at a residence in Weston, Florida. Upon the deputies arrival, Cleary, the occupant of the residence, identified himself as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and displayed counterfeit FBI credentials bearing his name and photograph. He also possessed a Glock Model 17 9mm semi-automatic pistol. A check of the FBI official records confirmed that Cleary had never been employed by the FBI in any capacity.

At sentencing, Cleary faces up to three years’ imprisonment.

Mr. Ferrer commended the FBI and the Broward Sheriff’s Office for their investigation in this case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Lanigan.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.