Indiana state representative Dan Forestal (D.) impersonated an officer to ask where he could find cocaine, and upon his arrest threatened to use his family connections to "have" the badges of those detaining him, according to a police report.
The Marion County prosecutor's office charged Forestal with driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, and impersonating a public servant, which is a felony, the IndyStar reports. Forestal was driving drunk when he came upon a couple who called 911, and the two told police he claimed to be a "legit officer" looking for drugs.
"I'm a legit officer doing a drug bust," Forestal told them, as recorded in the police report. "Today is the last day before the feds descend and start kicking in doors."
At about 11:45 p.m. Saturday, police stopped him but he resisted arrest, refused a sobriety test, and threatened to "have" the officers' badges. He appealed to his status as a state representative but also as a firefighter and the nephew of the Marion County sheriff, Kerry Forestal.
As the IndyStar reported, Forestal's family is well established in Indiana politics beyond the county sheriff, and Forestal himself serves on the Democrats' leadership team as the assistant Democratic Caucus chairman.
House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta didn't return IndyStar’s request for comment, and Democratic spokesman John Schorg said they have no comment.
Police reported Forestal resisted arrest while showing signs of drunkenness and threatening to sue because they were "violating his civil rights":
Forestal initially raised his hands, the police report said, but dropped them to his waist as the officer moved closer to the car. Forestal would not raise his hands as the officer commanded him to.
The officer, after opening Forestal's driver door, then tried to pull Forestal from the car, according to the report.
Forestal clung to his steering wheel, the report said.
"After a brief struggle," the police officer wrote, "(two officers) were able to gain control of Mr. Forestal, place him on his stomach and place him in handcuffs."
After being handcuffed, police wrote, Forestal threatened to sue the officers for violating his civil rights.
Prior to his arrest, Forestal was drinking at a local bar, and according to those who spoke to police, he harassed fellow patrons and asked about where he could get "party favors," such as cocaine.