Pubdate: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 Source: New York Daily News (NY) Copyright: 2007 Daily News, L.P. Contact: http://www.nydailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/295 Author: Jonathan Lemire, staff writer FAKE-NARC SUSPECT MAY GET LUCKY The reputed Bloods gang member arrested for impersonating a federal agent can only be charged with a misdemeanor for his deception because of a loophole in state law, outraged lawmakers told the Daily News. When investigators searched Anthony Clanton's apartments on Staten Island last Tuesday, they found a bogus Drug Enforcement Administration badge, homemade search warrants and other fake identification, authorities said. Investigators also seized three guns, including a 9-mm. Glock handgun stolen from a city cop last month, authorities said. Clanton was allegedly posing as a federal DEA agent to rob drug dealers across the city. If he had been impersonating an NYPD officer, the law would allow authorities to charge him with a felony. But impersonating any other type of law enforcement official is only a misdemeanor, officials said. "This is an epidemic problem and his case shows that some sinister criminals are exploiting this loophole," said Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Queens). "There should be no difference in penalties for impersonating a cop or another officer." Under state law, pretending to be a cop is a Class E felony and carries a sentence of up to four years, while impersonating a federal agent is a Class B misdemeanor, which often carries no jail time at all. City Hall has written legislation to make both crimes a felony but the bill has failed to pass the Assembly over the past two years. Mayor Bloomberg's lobbying office in Albany is pushing a new bill, which is being supported by Gianaris and state Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Freeport). Along with the misdemeanor, Clanton, who served eight years in prison for attempting to murder an undercover cop in 1997, has been charged with charged with burglary, conspiracy, weapons crimes and possession of stolen property and drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin