A Standish man who is a deputy U.S. marshal was arrested in Burbank, California, last week on charges of kidnapping and brandishing a gun.

According to a police statement, Andrew Leconte, 27, was “very intoxicated” and armed with a handgun when he ordered a 37-year-old man to follow him, the victim told police.

The person followed for a short distance then escaped and called police. The victim was not a fugitive from the law, police said.

Police responded to the 300 block of East Santa Anita in the southern California city in Los Angeles County. They found Leconte at about 1 a.m.

After arresting Leconte, police learned that he was a federal agent with the marshals service.

He was booked at the Burbank Police Department and taken to the department’s jail.

Burbank detectives are investigating the case.

Calls to the Portland office of the U.S. Marshals Service were referred to a public information officer in Washington.

A spokesman there confirmed that Leconte is assigned as a deputy U.S. marshal in the District of Maine and that he was “relieved of his operational duties and placed on limited duty.”

His work status remains pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and an internal investigation, the spokesman said.

The U.S. Marshals Service is the country’s oldest law enforcement agency. It is tasked with tracking down fugitives over state and international borders, provides security for judges, courts and federal witnesses and handles the transfer of federal prisoners and defendants.

 

Copy the Story Link