United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ATLANTA - Daniel M. Harbison has been sentenced to one year, nine months in federal prison for impersonating an armed DEA agent, after having previously been convicted of a felony.

Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Atlanta Field Division said, “Harbinson’s criminal acts are a disrespect to law enforcement officers who take an oath to protect and serve. The quick actions deployed by Doraville Police Department led to his swift capture. DEA would like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Atlanta office and the Doraville Police Department for their hard work on this case.”

“The impersonation of a federal agent undercuts the validity of a genuine law enforcement officer’s mission to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn. “Thankfully, Harbison made the mistake of pulling over a Doraville police officer who questioned Harbison’s authority and took quick action that resulted in Harbison being arrested that day, and today being sentenced for his crime.”

“Through the cooperation of multiple agencies, Dunwoody Police, FBI, DEA and The Department of Justice, Harbison will be getting the just sentence he deserves.  He only serves as a reminder to the community that they should always be aware of what is going on around them. I am thankful that our officer was alert and took the appropriate steps to ensure this successful, peaceful conclusion,” said Chief John King, Doraville Police Department.

According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges, and other information presented in court: In the spring of 2015, Harbison began impersonating a DEA agent. Specifically, on April 3, 2015, in Doraville, Georgia, Harbison conducted a traffic stop of a Chevrolet Suburban by engaging green and white flashing light-emitting (“LED”) lights. Unbeknownst to Harbison, the vehicle was being driven by an off-duty Corporal with the Doraville Police Department. During the unauthorized traffic stop, Harbison wore a T-shirt printed with the letters “DEA,” carried a .45 caliber handgun in a thigh holster, and possessed an identification card purportedly issued by the DEA. The Doraville Corporal also saw that Harbison possessed a realistic gold and blue badge engraved with the letters “US.”

The Corporal told Harbison that he was a Doraville Police Officer and asked Harbison why his LED lights were green and (as opposed to the blue and white lights used by genuine police officers). In response to the question, Harbison replied that his LED lights were green and white because he was a federal agent. The Doraville Corporal then stated that other police officers were in route to check the validity of Harbison’s law enforcement credentials. At that point, Harbison returned to his car and fled from the scene.

Doraville and Dunwoody Police Officers then went to Harbison’s residence and arrested Harbison. From Harbison’s residence, police officers recovered several items, including: (a) a Springfield .45 caliber handgun, (b) a DEA T-shirt, (c) LED lights, (d) an identification card purportedly issued by the DEA, (e) a gold and blue badge engraved with the letters “US.” Harbison has previously been convicted of at least two felonies, and as a result, could not legally possess the gun. Harbison had been impersonating a federal agent for several weeks before he was caught.

On April 23, 2015, a grand jury charged Harbison, 40, of Dunwoody, Georgia, with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Harbison pleaded guilty to that charge on June 9, 2015. He was sentenced to one year, nine months in federal prison and ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay a special assessment of $100.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Doraville Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey W. Davis and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin E. Sanders prosecuted the case.

The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justthinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.