Raleigh man accused of impersonating deputy

Jonathan Wesley Harris, 25, of 337 Oak Run Drive, was jailed Wednesday under a $4,000 bond on a misdemeanor count of impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said investigators became aware of Harris after the seller called the sheriff's office to confirm his employment.

"(The seller) could have made an easy dollar. He could have sold the gun and never looked back, but he had enough intent to say something is not right here," Harrison said. "We need more people like him."

According to an arrest warrant, Harris told the seller in person and over text messages that he was on leave from the Wake County Sheriff's Office and shared details about arrests he had made.

The gun seller also told investigators that Harris flashed a gold star-shaped badge in which he saw the word "deputy" and the first three letters of the word "sheriff."

Appearing before a Wake County magistrate Wednesday afternoon, however, Harris denied doing so.

Court records show that Harris is currently on probation in Franklin County for obtaining prescription drugs by false pretenses.

Harrison said that, at one point, Harris had a concealed carry permit but lost it last year after he failed to show up for a court hearing related to his Franklin County charge.