News and Investigations

On Tuesday afternoon, July 8, 2025, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 59-year-old Timothy Conrad of Winter Haven for impersonating a federal law enforcement officer.

Deputies were travelling south on Highway 27 when they observed a maroon and black Dodge Nitro on the side of the road. The Dodge was equipped with activated red and blue lights and K-9 decals on the rear side windows. Deputies noticed a tow truck in front of the car so they stopped to investigate.

Upon contact with the driver, Conrad identified himself as a United States Marshal and presented a badge marked “Deputy US Marshal.” He stated he was assigned to plainclothes duty and operated as needed. However, he eventually advised that he was semi-retired and when asked to provide additional credentials, Conrad was unable to produce a badge number or agency-issued identification.

Deputies noted another badge in Conrad’s wallet reading “Fugitive Recovery Agent PA.” According to Conrad, he was “hired” approximately 29 years ago by a man named Frank while living in Pennsylvania. Detectives attempted to call Frank but learned the number was no longer in service. Conrad admitted he had not received law enforcement pay, had no formal training, and could not verify his employment through any credible documentation.

Detectives contacted the United States Marshal Service who confirmed that Conrad had never been employed by the agency.

Conrad acknowledged that the U.S. Marshal denied any record of his employment but claimed that he believed he was operating under Frank’s authority. He stated that Frank assigned him to work undercover in the 1990s but admitted he was never issued any agency equipment or given formal police training. He admitted that his Facebook profile states that he works for the US Marshals Service, and that he removed a tag from a van and put it on his Dodge.

Despite being aware of all this, his vehicle remained equipped in a manner consistent with active-duty law enforcement. He told deputies he used the emergency lights to assist others, including stopping at a traffic crash and activating the lights to help a tow truck driver.

Conrad was arrested at the scene and transported to the Polk County Jail.

“This individual went out of his way to portray himself as a federal agent—with badges, flashing lights, and a social media profile to match. Let this arrest be a reminder that pretending to be law enforcement is a serious crime and will not be tolerated,” - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Conrad was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer (F3), unlawful use of a police badge (M1), unregistered motor vehicle (M2), and attaching an unassigned license plate (M2).