Private detective on trial for posing as cop in Madison County

BY BRIAN BRUEGGEMANN - News-Democrat - Jan. 29, 2009

EDWARDSVILLE -- A Madison County judge is deciding whether a private detective went too far by identifying himself as a police detective.

Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli heard the last testimony and closing arguments Wednesday of a bench trial for 27-year-old Dustin Dahmer. He is accused of identifying himself as a police detective while he was working for Kellerman Investigations in Glen Carbon, a private detective agency that also serves court summonses on people.

Dahmer, of Bunker Hill, is accused of identifying himself as a Madison County sheriff's detective in May 2007: once by phone to a Godfrey woman and once in person to a man at his South Roxana home. Both times, Dahmer was trying to find someone who was to be served with court papers.

Dahmer's attorney, Andy Scharf, argued that Dahmer at most identified himself as a "detective in Madison County."

"Is that illegal? Is that impersonating a police officer?" Scharf said.

Assistant State's Attorney Susan Jensen argued that the two alleged victims felt something wasn't right, and became concerned.

"Why else would these people be calling in?" she said.

Jensen said Dahmer has aspirations of being a police officer, and went too far. She said serving court papers isn't always pleasant, but neither of the two alleged victims was an intended recipient of court papers...

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Private detective on trial for posing as cop in Madison County

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