A Lee County bail bondsman was arrested and charged last week with three counts of impersonating a law enforcement officer.

The North Carolina Department of Insurance said Sanford resident Deshawn Dante Townes, 32, identified himself as a Chapel Hill Police officer during a visit to the Orange County Housing Authority on January 29 while trying to locate a person who had posted bond. Authorities say Townes also identified himself as an officer to a detective with the Chapel Hill Police Department.

A release from the Department of Insurance said Townes was arrested on Feb. 13 and released on a written promise to appear in court. He is expected to appear in Orange County District Court on Thursday.

“Bail bond agents hold a position of trust and must be held to a high standard,” said North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. “I commend our special agents and Bail Bond Regulation Division for their efforts in upholding that standard and resolving the issue.”

The department urges anyone who suspects insurance fraud or other white-collar crimes to report them. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling the department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 919-8077-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.

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