Jackson liquor store clerk charged with impersonating U.S. Marshal

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson police arrested a local liquor store clerk accused of impersonating a U.S. Marshal.

A judge formally charged Timothy Lowrance with extortion on Monday in Jackson City Court.

“It destroys the trust that we build up,” Jackson Police Lt. Phillip Stanfill said.

Police said on Feb. 3 a customer tried to steal a bottle of liquor from Midtown Wine and Spirits on Campbell Street. Officers said Lowrance, who was working as the store clerk, stopped the person and pulled out a badge claiming to be a U.S. Marshal, then told the suspected thief he had to pay $100 or go to jail.

“We try to hold ourselves to a pretty high standard of how we interact with the public,” Stanfill said. “We don’t want someone to pretend to be us, profit from that scam.”

Officers said the suspected thief gave Lowrance the money.

Records show Lowrance was arrested in 2002 on similar charges of extortion and criminal impersonation. Stanfill said this most recent case is still under investigation. “We are going to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.

Police confirmed they also took several weapons into evidence when Lowrance was arrested but would not give specifics.

The liquor store declined to comment on the case.

Lowrance is being held in lieu of a $75,000 bond. He is set to return to court Feb. 18.