Men Pose As U.S. Marshals To Avoid Wearing Masks At Hotel: Report

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL — Two maskless men were arrested Feb. 11 for impersonating U.S. marshals after refusing to wear face masks at a Deerfield Beach hotel, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

When asked by staff at Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort to wear face masks while on hotel property, the men — Walter Wayne Brown Jr., 53, and Gary Brummett, 81 — refused, reports said.

They also claimed to be U.S. Marshals, flashing laminated cards stating they were medically exempt from wearing masks, as well as phony badges that read “Cherokee Nation Marshal” at staff. The men also threatened to arrest employees and fine the hotel, the Sun Sentinel reported.

“I’m a U.S. marshal and can have you arrested if you force me to wear a mask,” Brummett reportedly said.

The men have been charged with impersonating a federal officer.