Father Of 'Affluenza' Teen Arrested For Impersonating Police Officer
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (CBSDFW.COM) - He gained national attention in the controversial "affluenza" case where his 16-year old son was sentenced to probation for his role in a drunk driving crash that killed four people.
Now Ethan Couch's father, Frederick Couch, has been arrested for impersonating a police officer in North Richland Hills.
Frederick Couch was arrested Tuesday morning on a warrant following a traffic stop.
He is charged with providing false identification of a police officer.
The incident took place in July when North Richland Hills police officers responded to a disturbance call in the 4400 block of Mackey Drive.
Upon arrival investigators had only considered Couch as a possible witness in the disturbance altercation.
Keith Bowman, with the North Richland Hills Police Department, explained that, "During the conversation he [Couch] had made a comment that he was a reserve officer for the city of Lakeside Police Department. They [police at the scene] said, 'so you're a Lakeside Police Department officer?' He said, 'yes,' and reiterated that he was. He said he had his police stuff in his vehicle."
Bauman said Couch showed the officers what appeared to be a badge and a police officer identification card.
Officers later checked with the Lakeside Police Department. The department notified investigators that Couch was not an officer in its department.
Bauman said investigators also checked with the state to verify Couch was not a licensed police officer anywhere in the state of Texas.
"When you have someone who is not an officer stating that they are, it can cause issues," said Bauman. "It's a concern."
Couch was arrested and released on a $2,500 bond.
Investigators said it's unclear as to why Couch was claiming to be a police officer.
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