Cops: Fake soldier scamming residents

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) - Authorities still sorting out the details in a strange case of men impersonating army officers.

Police in Knox County are holding Kyle Barwan of Crestwood, Illinois on charges of possession of cocaine and impersonating a public servant, and even more charges may be coming.

When a police trooper north of Vincennes made a traffic stop for speeding he found what appeared to be two soldiers in uniform.

They didn't have any identification, and after a lot of questions, the trooper got an unwelcome answer.

"He was able to determine the driver was wanted out of Cook County, Illinois for possession of cocaine," said State Police Sergeant Todd Ringle. "Also, he was able to find two small baggies of cocaine."

The men claiming to be a captain and lieutenant in the army were booked into the Knox County Jail.

"None of it made any sense and so that's when I really began wondering who do we have," said Knox County Deputy Prosecutor Hal Johnston, who is also a JAG officer for the Indiana National Guard.

Despite the spit and polish and military demeanor, police say Kyle Barwan was just a conman in an army surplus uniform.

"People had been giving him money," said Ringle. "People have been giving him food and shelter and unfortunately he's been scamming these individuals."

Police believe he was even scamming his partner John Springman.

"This individual believed him and was going around Indianapolis buying crack cocaine from people he thought were part of a secret military organization," said Johnston.

Authorities say after questioning both suspects at the jail they came to the conclusion that Springman wasn't just a passenger, he was somebody who had been taken for a ride.

"It's sad because the passenger was a victim," explained Ringle. "He was very gullible".

"I think this young man believed it," added Johnston. "I had the sense that if you had hooked him up to a polygraph he would have passed it."

Police released Springman but say they are just beginning to deal with Barwan and his army scam.

Both civilian and military police have now begun investigations into Barwan's activities.