Springfield Man Arrested For Impersonating U.S. Marshal

BOSTON – A Springfield man appeared in federal court this afternoon on a charge of impersonating a Deputy United States Marshal.

Dennis Wilhite, 49, was arrested on Nov. 10, 2014, and appeared in U.S. District Court today before Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein. It is alleged in a criminal complaint that Wilhite falsely represented himself as a Deputy United States Marshal in an effort to secure the release of a friend from state custody. In posing as a U.S. Marshal, Wilhite claimed that his friend was working with law enforcement on a sex trafficking investigation involving minors, and should be released from custody to assist in that investigation. Wilhite is also alleged to have posed as a U.S. Marshal in calls made to a victim in a state criminal case filed against Whilhite’s friend.

The charging statute provides a sentence of three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and United States Marshal John Gibbons made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordi de Llano of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.