Kentucky duo John Lohden and Dayton Peterson face a combined 69 years in federal prison after an elaborate scheme of impersonating law enforcement officers to conduct kidnappings, robberies, and drug trafficking operations across multiple states.
Key Takeaways
- John Lohden received a 39-year sentence in March 2025 while his accomplice Dayton Peterson was sentenced to 30 years in October 2024 for crimes including officer impersonation, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.
- The criminals used counterfeit badges, tactical gear, and unregistered firearms to conduct false arrests and searches, exploiting victims for financial gain.
- Both men were previously convicted felons prohibited from possessing firearms, which significantly enhanced their sentences.
- Federal impersonation crimes typically carry penalties of up to 3 years, but when combined with violent offenses and firearms violations, sentences can exceed decades.
- Impersonation of federal agents has become increasingly problematic as counterfeit credentials and equipment are easily accessible online.
Violent Criminals Posed as Federal Officers to Execute Kidnappings and Robberies
In one of the most egregious cases of federal agent impersonation in recent years, John E. Lohden, Jr. and Dayton Peterson orchestrated a multi-year criminal enterprise that terrorized victims across Kentucky and Indiana. Lohden, the ringleader, received a staggering 39-year federal prison sentence on March 25, 2025, while Peterson was handed a 30-year term in October 2024. The pair used fake law enforcement credentials, including counterfeit ATF identification, to conduct false arrests, illegal searches, and violent robberies that netted them cash, drugs, and other valuables.
The criminals’ scheme involved approaching victims while displaying badges and tactical gear typical of federal agents, then detaining them under the pretense of legitimate law enforcement action. Once victims were under their control, the duo would rob them of cash, drugs, and other valuables. Court records indicate the operation was part of a broader criminal enterprise that included drug trafficking and money laundering, with the impersonation tactics providing cover for their illicit activities.
Elaborate Scheme Included Multiple Criminal Enterprises
Federal prosecutors detailed how Lohden and Peterson’s operation went far beyond simple impersonation. The pair maintained a sophisticated drug distribution network across multiple states, using their false identities to intimidate rivals and evade detection. As convicted felons, both men were legally prohibited from possessing firearms, yet they armed themselves heavily during their fake “operations.” The weapons charges alone significantly enhanced their sentences, as did their history of prior felony convictions.
U.S. Attorney Michael Bennett emphasized the severity of the crimes at sentencing: “These defendants didn’t just impersonate federal officers—they weaponized that false authority to terrorize communities, distribute dangerous narcotics, and undermine public trust in legitimate law enforcement. The sentences reflect not just the crimes committed, but the extraordinary breach of public trust these actions represent.”
Rising Trend of Federal Agent Impersonation
The Lohden-Peterson case highlights a growing national concern about impersonation of federal agents. According to law enforcement experts, the internet has made it increasingly easy to obtain realistic-looking badges, uniforms, and credentials. In 2022 alone, over 100 defendants were charged with government impersonation fraud schemes involving hundreds of millions of dollars. These schemes often target vulnerable populations, including immigrants and elderly Americans who may be less familiar with verification procedures.
The financial motivation behind these impersonation schemes is substantial. Criminals posing as federal agents can extort victims by threatening arrest unless “fines” are paid immediately, facilitate drug trafficking by flashing fake credentials to avoid suspicion, and even exploit government programs through fraudulent applications. The COVID-19 pandemic created additional opportunities, with some impersonators using their fake authority to apply for fraudulent PPP loans and other emergency benefits.
Other Recent Federal Impersonation Cases Show Pattern
The Lohden-Peterson case isn’t isolated. In another high-profile incident, Decorian Titus (19) and Damon Gentry (23) received combined sentences of 39 years after assaulting an undercover ATF agent during a sting operation in Texas. While not directly impersonating agents themselves, their case demonstrates the violent intersection of firearms crimes and confrontations with federal authorities. The pair had arranged to sell marijuana and firearms to an undercover agent before brandishing weapons, stealing the agent’s firearm and money, and threatening lethal violence.
In Washington DC, Arian Taherzadeh and Haider Ali made headlines in 2022 for impersonating Department of Homeland Security agents in an elaborate scheme that included providing gifts and apartments to Secret Service agents assigned to protect the First Lady. Their case revealed alarming security vulnerabilities within federal law enforcement, as they successfully infiltrated protective details through their impersonation scheme before eventually being caught.
Legal Framework Punishes Impersonation Severely
Federal law treats impersonation of government officials as a serious offense, with statutes specifically targeting those who falsely represent themselves as federal officers. Under 18 U.S.C. § 912, impersonating a federal officer carries penalties of up to 3 years imprisonment. When impersonation involves conducting arrests or searches (18 U.S.C. § 913), similar penalties apply. However, when these crimes are combined with firearms offenses, kidnapping, or violent crimes, sentences can balloon dramatically—as seen in the Lohden-Peterson case.
“The abuse of perceived authority is particularly damaging to our justice system,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow. “When criminals impersonate federal agents, they not only harm their immediate victims but erode public trust in legitimate law enforcement. These lengthy sentences send a clear message that such behavior will be met with the full force of federal prosecution.”
Protecting Yourself from Impersonation Scams
Law enforcement agencies recommend several steps citizens can take to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a federal agent. Always ask to see credentials and call the agency’s published phone number (not a number provided by the person) to verify the agent’s identity. Legitimate federal agents will not demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. They also won’t threaten immediate arrest if payments aren’t made on the spot.
The proliferation of convincing counterfeit badges and credentials online has made impersonation easier than ever. Websites selling “replica” law enforcement gear often operate in legal gray areas, claiming their products are for collectors or entertainment purposes while knowing they may be used for impersonation. Federal authorities have begun pressuring online marketplaces to restrict sales of such items, but enforcement remains challenging.
Sources:
Men Who Assaulted ATF Agent Sentenced
Secret Service Were Duped, Disciplined in Bizarre Impersonation Plot
U.S. Code: Title 18, Chapter 43 – False Personation
