A Utah man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges after police say he impersonated an officer and threatened to kill and bury the bodies of two men he accused of being in the U.S. illegally.
Jerred Martin Loftus, 41, was arrested earlier this month for investigation of impersonating an officer and aggravated assault after Sarasota Springs Police responded to reports of an assault at Inlet Park on Sunday, July 15, Deseret News reported.
There, officers talked to a man named Carlos who said he and his friend Daniel were walking a trail at the park when they were approached by Loftus and three other men. According to a probable cause statement, the men began arguing with Carlos and his friend, with one of them, later identified as Loftus, accusing them of being undocumented immigrants.
Jerred Martin Loftus admitted to posing as a corrections officer but denied threatening the two men with a firearm. (Image courtesy of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office)
“During the argument, Jerred accused the two of being illegal aliens and identified himself as a corrections officer,” the statement said. “Carlos maintains Jerred stated he was armed with a firearm and threatened to kill Carlos and Daniel.”
Not only did Loftus threaten to shoot the men, but said he would bury their bodies in the woods, Carlos told police.
Carlos told officers he was frightened and thought Loftus would follow through with his threats, so he called the police. The suspect fled the scene before cops arrived, leaving his truck behind.
According to FOX 13, Carlos was able to identify Loftus as the man who threatened him in a photo lineup, after which police obtained a search warrant for Loftus’ truck. Inside, they said they found a gun belt, a handgun and several magazines.
In his interview with police, Loftus confessed to posing as a corrections officer but denied threatening Carlos and his friend with a firearm.
The Eagle Mountain man was booked into the Utah County Jail but was later released after posting $5,000 bail.
