By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
A former sheriff’s deputy in Florida is accused of posing as a federal drug agent in a bizarre plot to help his friend win his wife back, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Authorities said Don Wheeler, a former Seminole County Sheriff’s deputy, called friends of his buddy’s wife, posing as a DEA agent and informing them that the woman’s new boyfriend was under investigation for drug trafficking.
Wheeler and his friend, Michael Maine, were charged with falsely impersonating an officer, conspiracy, extortion and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
They face up to 30 years in prison.
Wheeler told investigators that he became involved because Maine loved his ex “with all his heart and just wanted her back.”
“The defendants allegedly created counterfeit DEA credentials to pass Wheeler off as a federal agent,” a news release states.
“According to court documents, Wheeler also called associates of Maine’s wife claiming she was involved in drug trafficking and that the DEA had an active criminal investigation into her involvement.”
