Gwinnett County Man Samuel Baxter Charged with impersonating deputy

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A man accused of posing as a Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputy to carry out armed robberies and home invasions has been arrested, authorities said. 

Samuel Baxter was taken into custody Thursday after a nearly monthlong investigation into a series of robberies in which suspects allegedly impersonated deputies, the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office said. Baxter is being held at the Gwinnett County Jail without bond. 

Baxter faces multiple felony charges, including home invasion, kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission or attempt to commit a felony, officials said. 

The investigation began Jan. 9 after Gwinnett County police alerted the sheriff’s office that a group was using “the guise of authority” to target victims, according to authorities. Investigators located Baxter after conducting surveillance in DeKalb County, the sheriff’s office said. 

Georgia State Patrol troopers attempted to stop Baxter after he left a residence and got into a gray Nissan Sentra, officials said. Authorities said Baxter did not comply with commands during the stop and deputies used “controlled techniques” to take him into custody. An ambulance was called as a precaution, but Baxter declined medical attention, officials said. 

Detectives are working to identify other suspected members of the group. The sheriff’s office has not released where the alleged crimes occurred.