Ex-deputy in Ohio May Face Charges of Impersonation

Oct. 24--PERRY TOWNSHIP -- A former Allen County special deputy may face charges after flashing his department ID at a traffic stop.

Allen County Sheriff Sam Crish said Friday he is exploring possible charges against William Koontz for giving officers a card that identified him as a special deputy with the Allen County Sheriff's Department. Koontz had been a special deputy but lost his commission following a domestic violence incident earlier this year, Crish said.

Koontz was pulled over by a Perry Township Police officer at about 6:20 p.m. Thursday following what the Sheriff's Department report called a road rage incident. He gave officers his driver's license along with a card special deputies carry.

"He stated he was a special deputy with the sheriff's office, and he was not. At one time he was, but his commission was terminated," Crish said.

Crish said he is planning to meet with Lima Municipal Court prosecutors to explore the possibility of charging Koontz with impersonating a police officer. Those charges can come with a range of penalties, from fourth degree misdemeanor to third degree felony, depending on the circumstances.

Koontz has had past difficulties with the law. In March 2006, state and federal authorities raided his home at 4747 N. West St. to collect more than $1 million in military equipment he had on his property. That equipment included bulldozers, cranes, frontend loaders, forklifts, tractors, generators and lighting.

Koontz said he moved it to his home after superior officers told him to remove the equipment from the Ohio National Guard facility on Collett Street while the guard held a recruitment drive.

No charges have ever been filed in that case.

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