Pastor charged with using phony badge

 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

An Atlanta pastor was jailed for using a phony sheriff’s badge given to him by former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill, officials said.

Anthony J. McMichael, senior pastor at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, was arrested on charges of impersonating a police officer – a felony. He was released on bond on Saturday, but is facing more charges, police said

A Georgia State Patrol trooper stopped McMichael in Douglas County on Oct. 21 after spotting him speeding on I-20. McMichael pulled out his license, a Clayton sheriff’s badge and sheriff's identification card signed by Hill, State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright said.

“He said he hadn’t had a chance to get the card changed [since the new sheriff took over],” Wright said.

The trooper let McMichael go with a warning, Wright said.

The trooper later called the sheriff’s department to verify McMichael was a deputy. That’s when he learned that McMichael was not a law enforcement officer and was in illegal possession of the badge, Clayton Sheriff Kem Kimbrough said.

Deputies took out a warrant and arrested McMichael last week at his Douglasville home. They searched his home and seized the badge and ID, Kimbrough said.

McMichael, 58, later told investigators that Hill gave him the badge.

Hill purchased dozens of additional badges, which are the same as the badges deputies carry, and distributed them to his friends, Kimbrough said. They went to preachers, campaign contributors, neighbors and other associates.

Reached at his home Monday night, McMichael said Hill swore him in as a reserve deputy because he is a pastor. He serves as pastor at Mt. Nebo on Moreland Avenue in Atlanta and on Tara Boulevard in Jonesboro.

"It was the vindictive spirit of Clayton County to go after any association with Victor Hill," McMichael said. "It was  a set-up on part of Clayton County to intervene into my life style."

McMichael, who said he is a member of the National Action Network, believes he was followed by law enforcement. Troopers said he was stopped for speeding.

McMichael said he didn't remember the conversation between him and the trooper during the traffic stop.

When Kimbrough took over as sheriff, he found a partial list of the people given badges and asked for them to be returned. McMichael was on the list.

"He said he didn't have a badge," Kimbrough said.

Last week, deputies found out McMichael had lied, Kimbrough said.

McMichael declined to comment about that conversation, only saying that Hill never asked him to return the badge.

The phony badges are part of an ongoing federal investigation into Hill, Kimbrough said. Hill is also the subject on an investigation into missing weapons and other sheriff's equipment.

Deputies have only recovered a few of those badges, Kimbrough said.

“We don’t know how many badges are out there,” Kimbrough said.

The sheriff’s department has since issued new redesigned badges to current deputies. The new badges are a seven-point star and have employee numbers listed, Kimbrough said. The old badges have six points.

Civilian employees also don’t carry badges.

“People have to have trust in law enforcement. They have to trust that when presented a badge, they are dealing with a real law enforcement officer,” Kimbrough said. “If you can’t put trust in that, the whole system breaks down.”

McMichael faces 1-5 years in prison and a fine up to $1,000 if convicted, Wright said.

Hill could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, Shonterria Renek Martin, did not return a phone call Monday.

The missing badges are just the latest in Hill's legacy, including several lawsuits against the county.

“It is an unnecessary and unwanted distraction from the real business that needs to be done here in Clayton County,” Kimbrough said. “It’s distressing that we have to keep dealing with the past and have to put it behind us.”

Hill lost as bid for a second term last year to Kimbrough. In December, Hill filed for bankruptcy.