Jury finds Westerville man guilty of impersonating federal agent, making unlawful arrest

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A federal jury has convicted a Westerville man of impersonating a federal law enforcement agent and making an arrest as an impersonator.

Brendan Conklin, 45, pretended to be a federal officer and unlawfully detained, searched and arrested a victim.

The verdict was announced yesterday following a trial that began on May 4 before U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.

According to court documents and trial testimony, in December 2023, Conklin, driving a former police SUV with police lights, unlawfully pulled over the victim. Conklin pointed a firearm at the victim, who had just departed her Westerville home with her minor child in the car.

Conklin told the victim that he was a federal officer and wore a vest with various badges and insignias suggesting he was law enforcement. Conklin also had an illegal license plate registered to the Columbus police headquarters.

Conklin searched and detained the victim. After handcuffing the victim and placing her in his vehicle, Conklin mistakenly locked himself out with the victim in the car and had to have Blendon Township officers let her out.

Conklin then called the Columbus division of police's non-emergency line and inquired about a warrant with them. After that conversation, Conklin told the victim it was her "lucky day" and he would have to release her. He then released the victim.

Conklin had previously registered the Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Program (O.F.A.P.) as a nonprofit organization that provided the Columbus police headquarters as its address.

Conklin's internet searches in winter and spring of 2023 included "howbto determine if a us marshal is legit," "us marshals fugitive task force badge" and "fake federal license plate."

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2026.

Impersonating a federal officer and conducting a search or arrest while impersonating are each federal crimes punishable by up to three years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Westerville Police Chief Holly Murchland and Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Damoun Delaviz and Kevin W. Kelley are representing the United States in this case.

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