HAMMONTON—A man who claimed to be a federal marshal was arrested and is facing assault and weapons charges, Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said. The man was arrested after police received a call from a residence in the prime block of Magnolia Court at 10:02 p.m. on January 29 in reference to harassment, Friel said.
“A patrol was dispatched to the prime block of Magnolia Court in reference to harassment.
Officer Matthew Heiser responded and observed a white Hummer bearing a Missouri temporary registration parked directly across the roadway from the caller’s residence as reported,” Friel said.
Upon interacting with the driver of the Hummer, the driver stated he was cut off by the complainant and the complainant allegedly struck his vehicle on Route 54, Friel said.
Friel said Heiser asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, at which time the driver stated to Heiser that there was a firearm in the glove box.
Heiser retrieved a Ruger SR22 handgun from the glove box and the driver said the ammunition was in the rear compartment of the vehicle, Friel said.
While speaking with patrol, the driver identified himself as a federal marshal, Friel said. When asked for his credentials, he said there was no way to verify that information, Friel said.
“He also stated that he had a Missouri carry permit but he was not aware that it was not valid in New Jersey,” Friel said.
The driver was placed under arrest and a search of his vehicle yielded a loaded 9 mm handgun, Friel said. The driver was identified as Russell Yoder, 64, of Tuscumbia, Missouri, Friel said.
In speaking with the caller, the caller advised they had passed Yoder, and then Yoder began driving erratically, following them home and blocking their vehicle in their driveway, Friel said.
Yoder identified himself as a federal marshal to the victim, and began taking pictures of the victim and the residence, Friel said.
“He also told the victim that there would be other federal law enforcement officers en route,” Friel said.
Yoder was transported to police headquarters and charged with the following criminal offenses: simple assault, impersonating a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a handgun, improper disposition of weapons, harassment, refusing to be fingerprinted, false imprisonment and obstruction of the administration of law, Friel said.
He was transported to the Atlantic County Jail on the charges, pending a court appearance in Atlantic County Superior Court, Friel said.
Heiser was the investigating and arresting officer, Friel said.
This report is comprised of arrests and investigations made by the men and women of local enforcement. All suspects and arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.