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Seeking free pizza, man impersonates marshal, gets arrested

December 18, 2002

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- He hoped to get a free pizza by flashing a deputy U.S. marshal's badge.

But now Patrick Deely may receive a free trip to prison instead.

According to the Associated Press, Deely has successfully impersonated a federal officer and gained free food from restaurants throughout the city for some time. As a courtesy, Albuquerque eateries occasionally offer free or discounted food to authorities.

On Dec. 15, the 45-year-old Deely returned to a pizzeria where he'd been given free food earlier in the day. When he asked for another freebie, employees called police, who apprehended Deely and turned him over to U.S. marshals.

According to a police affidavit, a badge similar to those used by deputy U.S. marshals was recovered during the arrest.