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.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UPDATE: Man Reported Missing to Chapel Hill Police Found After Short Search
UPDATE: An OC Alerts message shared at 8:51 p.m. said Amit Desai was safely located. The Chapel Hill Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating a missing person. Police officers say 51-year-old Amit Desai was last seen around 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Circle K gas station at the intersection of East […]
Chapel Hill to Open Police Substation on West Franklin Street in Early March
The Town of Chapel Hill will be staging more police officers downtown starting next month. In a release shared Thursday afternoon on the town’s website, the local government said it plans to open a substation of the Chapel Hill Police Department in the former Launch Chapel Hill space at 306 West Franklin Street. The building […]
Multiple UNC Football Players Facing Reckless Driving Charges
Several UNC football players are facing charges of reckless driving, speeding and other violations. An investigation by WRAL, originally published Monday afternoon, reported that “nearly 20 percent” of UNC’s 101-man roster has been cited for speeding since October of 2024. The investigation named three specific players: linebacker Khmori House, safety Gavin Gibson and cornerback Thaddeus […]
'Elated Every Time They Come In': A Look at the New Chapel Hill Police Station
Chapel Hill Police will begin formally working out of 7300 Millhouse Road on Monday. Before that, they opened their doors to local media.
Opening Date, Open House Announced for New Chapel Hill Police Headquarters
The Town of Chapel Hill announced Thursday its new headquarters for the police department at 7300 Millhouse Road will open Monday, Sep. 29.
Chapel Hill Police: Missing Teen Safely Located
UPDATE: Chapel Hill Police shared an alert Sunday morning that Kaydin Shelton has been safely located. The Chapel Hill Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing teenager. Police say 15-year-old Kaydin Shelton of Chapel Hill was last seen just before midnight Saturday night in the area of Legion Road and Ephesus […]
Chapel Hill Police: Pedestrian Dies After Being Hit Along Fordham Boulevard
Chapel Hill police officers responded at 7:41 p.m. to a report of a pedestrian hit by a driver in the 1800 block of Fordham Boulevard.
Our Town: The Story of the Summer Youth Employment Program
This month, Zequel Hall, who leads the Town's Summer Youth Employment Program is joined by three of the Town of Chapel Hill's young employees, Carlos, Eman, Irene, and Malachi, to tell the story of the Summer Youth Employment Program.
Chapel Hill Police Safely Locate 42-Year Old Woman Reported as Missing
UPDATE: The Chapel Hill Police Department said Monday morning that Kimberly Austin has been safely located.
Lee County Man Charged With Impersonating Chapel Hill Police Officer
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 […]
›