Convicted felon Christopher Levins has been charged in Florida for impersonating a police officer in a strange situation where he managed to arrest a woman and take her to jail. Levins provided the incriminating evidence needed to arrest him, as he took video of the incident. That came to light when Orange County Sheriff’s agents recently reviewed the footage following a search warrant executed last October.
In the video, Levins is dressed convincingly as a law enforcement officer, complete with body armor, handcuffs, and other police gear. He approaches a woman, identifies her using an ID card, and informs her of an outstanding warrant for her arrest. He then handcuffs her, places her in his vehicle, and transports her to Lake County Jail. Upon arrival, he misleadingly identifies himself as a “bondsman” using his personal vehicle. He walks the handcuffed woman into the jail as if she were turning herself in for an outstanding warrant.
In court documents, officers allege: “In the video, Christopher was dressed in a manner consistent with a law enforcement officer, to include body armor, handcuffs, and other police equipment.”
Arrested a woman, took her to jail but's he's no cop; also accused of playing firefighter #KTVONewshttps://t.co/R76tIgQ6lZ
— KTVO Television (@KTVOTV) April 18, 2024
The depth of Levins’ deception is further revealed through his criminal background. He has a history of similar offenses, including a 2016 incident in which he claimed to be a Department of Homeland Security official. An affidavit filed in court also provides sworn testimony that Levins, in the same year, pretended to be part of the Orlando Fire Department’s Bomb and Arson Squad. He also falsely held himself out as a K-9 bomb dog trainer.
After reviewing the video, agents traveled to New York to conduct an in-person interview with the victim, who confirmed the events upon reviewing the footage. Levins was charged with kidnapping and was arrested on April 4 before being released five days later on a $50,000 bond.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Commander Chuck Mulligan urged the public to always be cautious about badges and uniforms. He told citizens to never hesitate to ask officers to verify their identity and credentials, noting that legitimate law enforcement personnel will never hesitate to cooperate.
