Hot Springs Man Accused of Impersonating Sheriff’s Deputy

A Hot Springs man is facing multiple charges after Arkansas State Police say he was caught driving a vehicle equipped with law enforcement gear while allegedly posing as a sheriff’s deputy.

According to state police, the investigation began around 1 p.m. on Friday, June 26, when a Criminal Investigation Division special agent in an unmarked vehicle stopped a black Chevrolet Tahoe on U.S. Highway 79 in Ouachita County. Investigators say the Tahoe was approaching the agent at a high rate of speed with blue emergency lights activated.

The driver, identified as 66-year-old Dennis Truelove of Hot Springs, allegedly told the agent he worked for the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office. Because the traffic stop was in a hazardous location, the agent ended the encounter and later contacted the sheriff’s office, where officials confirmed no deputy matching Truelove’s description or driving the Tahoe was employed by the agency.

A short time later, the Tahoe was located on State Highway 9 in Dallas County, where investigators conducted a second traffic stop. State police say Truelove presented a Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office badge and identification card.

Investigators reported finding several items commonly used by law enforcement inside the vehicle, including radios tuned to the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office frequency, a bulletproof vest marked “Sheriff,” blue emergency lights, a siren and other police-related equipment.

Truelove was arrested and booked into the Ouachita County Detention Center. He is charged with first-degree criminal impersonation, unlawful use of blue lights and multiple traffic offenses.

During a court appearance on Monday, June 29, a judge set Truelove’s bond at $10,000. Following the hearing, Arkansas State Police executed a search warrant on the Tahoe and seized additional law enforcement equipment from the vehicle.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who may have encountered Truelove or the black Chevrolet Tahoe is asked to contact Arkansas State Police Troop F at 870-226-3713.

The charges against Truelove are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.