Deputies: Man said he was Haley's body guard, private investigat - wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |

A man is in custody for impersonating a police officer after he represented himself as a personal body guard to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, according to the Newberry County Sheriff's Office.

The Newberry County Sheriff's Office received a complaint that a man was presenting himself as a SLED agent assigned to the Governor's Security Task Force.

During the investigation, deputies also learned that the suspect had fraudulently identified himself as a licensed private investigator, and had presented several business cards to people in the community soliciting business as WSF Investigations.

The suspect was identified as William Scott Fowler, 39, of Chapin.  

Based on the witness statements and the evidence obtained, investigators interviewed Fowler who admitted to the allegations. Fowler was charged by the Newberry County Sheriff's Office with impersonating a police officer. He was also charged with soliciting business as a private investigator by the State Law Enforcement Division.

Additionally, SLED charged Fowler with forgery and filing a false affidavit with the Department of Motor Vehicles after it was learned he forged documents to obtain a Fraternal Order of Police license plate, deputies said.

Investigators are still working with state and federal authorities and additional charges may be filed.

Fowler was taken into custody late Friday afternoon. His bond has been set at $10,000.

In addition to his current charges, Fowler was convicted of forgery in 1992, impersonating an officer in 1995, credit card theft in 1995, defrauding a federally insured institution in 1998, and has a number fraudulent check convictions, deputies said.

Investigators are asking anyone who had contact with Fowler when he identified himself as a police officer or offered private investigator services to contact the Newberry County Sheriff's Office at (803) 321-2222.

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