Man in jail for allegedly impersonating officer

Published 12:01 am Sunday, February 17, 2013

SEQUIM –– A 25-year-old man who allegedly told a Sequim shop owner he was a police officer was in the Clallam County jail Saturday after being arrested for investigation of one count of second-degree criminal impersonation.

Following a Friday afternoon search, police arrested Sean Earl Gormley shortly before 3:30 p.m. at the Red Ranch Inn, 830 W. Washington St.

Gormley remained in jail Saturday on $250 bail.

Gormley was wanted for allegedly impersonating an officer of the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, or OPNET.

Gormley is not a member of OPNET, nor is he a police officer.

Sgt. Don Reidel said Gormley allegedly entered a thrift shop Friday morning, where an employee noticed he was wearing a bulletproof vest and asked if he was armed.

Reidel’s report said Gormley told the store’s employee that he was armed, that he had a permit and that he was an OPNET agent.

Reidel said officers found Gormley at the hotel after receiving an anonymous tip.

Reidel did not know Gormley’s place of residence.

Second-degree criminal impersonation is a gross misdemeanor, according to state statutes.