A New Jersey man was arrested after telling Quarryville residents that he was an undercover federal agent investigating drug-related crimes, even going as far as to terrorize the staff of a local store, telling one pregnant employee he hoped her baby would be stillborn.
39-year-old John Francis McCarthy Jr. was arrested and charged with impersonating a public servant and harassment after repeatedly telling Quarryville residents that he was an "undercover drug buster," reported Lancaster Online.
McCarthy told two Quarryville police officers that he was a volunteer with the "United States Attorney's Office" investigating a drug case in the area after asking the officers if they could handle drug complaints on February 15, according to law enforcement. He told officers that he was planning on purchasing drugs undercover, only identifying himself with a Texas driver's license and Uber driver business card.
McCarthy also refused to tell the officers where the buy was located, alleging that the officers "did not have security clearance." After being told by law enforcement that he could not conduct undercover operations as a civilian, McCarthy became frustrated, alleging that he worked with Adam Flurry, a detective with Lancaster city police, before driving away.
A couple of days later, on February 17, Quarryville police were informed that McCarthy was a frequent visitor of a store on Turkey Hill by an employee who worked there. She told authorities that she believed McCarthy was an undercover officer after he identified himself as an "undercover drug buster" and that he called the store repeatedly on February 16 asking to speak with employees who were not present or available at the time. When he was unable to speak to them, he became frustrated and told a pregnant employee he hoped her baby would be stillborn.
Officers were then able to get into contact with McCarthy on February 19, when he told them over the phone that he had previously made a citizens' arrest in Texas. This led law enforcement to records from Texas demonstrating that McCarthy had open warrants for kidnapping and unlawful restraint.
He was then charged and arrested by law enforcement on February 20. His bond is set at $5,000, and is next set to appear in court on March 17.
Originally published by Latin Times.
