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Man Posed As U.S. Marshal, Report Says

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By RONNIE BLAIR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 2, 2008

SHADY HILLS - An ex-con brandishing a gun and wearing a plastic badge he bought at Wal-Mart claimed to be a U.S. marshal when he handcuffed and interrogated a man last week, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office reported.

Francis K. Birchler, 43, of 8421 Cameo St., Spring Hill, was arrested Friday on charges of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and impersonating an officer.

On July 25, Birchler approached Thomas Gerlach, 40, who was seated in his truck at Southeast Recycling, 14824 County Line Road, where he works, the sheriff's office reported.
Birchler drew a handgun, told Gerlach that he was a U.S. marshal and handcuffed him, an arrest report states. Birchler then questioned Gerlach about a domestic dispute before letting him go after 15 to 20 minutes, the report states.

Gerlach told investigators that at first he feared Birchler was going to shoot him, the report states. Later, as Birchler questioned him, Gerlach became suspicious and asked why a U.S. marshal would be investigating something as minor as a domestic dispute, the report states.

Five people witnessed the interrogation and all said they thought Birchler was a marshal, the report states.

Birchler, though, is a convicted felon with as many as 21 felony arrests and is in no way affiliated with the U.S. Marshals Service, the sheriff's office reported.
Birchler told Detective Jason Hatcher, who made the arrest, that he was impersonating a U.S. marshal to conduct investigations for friends, the report states.
Birchler was being held Friday at Land O' Lakes Jail. Bail was set at $20,000.

The sheriff's office investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218 or rblair@tampatrib.com.

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