Fugitive Gets Prison for Impersonating Federal Marshal

A fugitive from Florida who tried to open a bank account in Lisle with a bogus check for $3.5 million has been sentenced to three years in prison for impersonating an agent of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

John C. Campbell, 30, pleaded guilty Nov. 27 in DuPage County Circuit Court in Wheaton to a felony charge of false personation of a peace officer. Judge Blanche Hill Fawell on Tuesday sentenced Campbell to prison, according to court records.

Seven companion charges that included forgery, attempted deceptive practice/bank fraud, unlawful use of weapons and obstructing identification were dismissed in exchange for Campbell’s plea.

Lisle police arrested Campbell on Nov. 28, 2011, shortly after he tried to open an account and deposit a check for $3.5 million at U.S. Bank, 1026 Ogden Ave. Police in 2011 said the check and the identification Campbell provided in trying to open the account proved to be phony.

After curbing Campbell in his vehicle not far from the bank, investigators determined he was wanted on a warrant for larceny in Hernando County, Fla. Hernando County is in the western part of that state near the Gulf of Mexico.

Campbell, while in police custody, identified himself as a federal marshal working for the department of homeland security. Both claims proved to be untrue.

Police, with Campbell’s permission, later searched the room in which he was staying at the InTown Suites, at 2540 Ogden Ave. in Downers Grove.

A counterfeit U.S. marshal’s badge, two starter pistols, batons and an assortment of other law enforcement equipment “props” were found there, police said. Evidence of Campbell’s use of forged documents to obtain a vehicle from a Lisle car dealership was also seized.

Campbell is being held in DuPage County Jail without bond on a fugitive from justice warrant, stemming from a robbery in Florida. He is scheduled to appear Friday in court in that matter.