APACHE COUNTY — The son of a former Apache County sheriff has been arrested, accused of impersonating a sheriff’s deputy and misconduct involving weapons, Arizona’s Family reported.
Bo Tyler Hounshell is being held on a $100,000 cash bond. He was already facing charges of driving under the influence and child abuse, according to Arizona’s Family Investigates.
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office confirmed it will handle the case. Hounshell’s father, a former sheriff, is now director of Apache County’s Office of Emergency Management, and his mother is the clerk of Superior Court.
Police reports say Hounshell worked in the emergency management department’s specialty drone unit and drove a white Ford F-150 without decals that looked like an unmarked police vehicle. Authorities allege he used that vehicle to pose as a deputy, including at the home of a friend’s ex-wife, where he urged her to reconcile with his friend, according to the reports.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety searched his home Wednesday and found drugs, Arizona’s Family reported.
A defense attorney not involved in the case told the station that impersonation charges generally require intent to make someone submit to an officer’s authority.
Hounshell has not been convicted, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
Sources: Arizona’s Family. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Dk4hb / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
