Man pleads guilty to impersonating US agent

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A St. Louis man who borrowed tens of thousands of dollars from a girlfriend now faces a possible fine of up to $250,000 for posing as a government agent.

The U.S. Attorney's office says 41-year-old Mark Chartrand pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of impersonating a federal officer. U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel scheduled sentencing for Jan. 20. Besides the fine, Chartrand could also be sentenced to three years in prison.

Prosecutors said Chartrand borrowed more than $100,000 from his girlfriend over several years. To continue borrowing and discourage the woman from collecting on the debt, Chartrand claimed to be an agent with the Department of Homeland Security doing secret work overseas.

Chartrand was charged after he was exposed as a fraud.