Iowa man accused of impersonating law enforcement at Saline County truck stop
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Clinton, Iowa, man was charged Wednesday after he was accused of impersonating a police officer and having an explosive at a truck stop.
Jeramie James Burmeister, 42, was charged with felony unlawful possession of an illegal weapon and two misdemeanors: attempted false impersonation of a law enforcement officer and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held on a $15,000 cash-only bond. An initial court appearance was set for Wednesday.
A Saline County deputy was called Tuesday to a truck stop in Sweet Springs on reports that a person was showing a badge and asking for money. The deputy found Burmeister, who flashed a concealed carry permit as if it were a badge, according to a probable cause statement. The deputy says Burmeister also made statements consistent with the "sovereign citizen" movement, which questions law enforcement's legal authority over citizens.
The deputy wrote that Burmeister also had track marks on his arms -- signs of IV drug use.
Burmeister also had a Colorado warrant for stalking and two orders of protection against him in that state.
Authorities used a dog and found several blades, a loaded rifle, a pipe-bomb-like device and methamphetamine in Burmeister's van.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol was called to defuse the bomb and cleared the parking lot while they worked.
Burmeister has an extensive criminal history, according to the probable cause statement. He was in the Saline County Jail on Thursday on a $15,000 cash-only bond.
