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PROVO — Police arrested a Montana man Sunday who they say impersonated a U.S. marshal to try and get out of paying two escorts.
Joel Graf, 21, of Billings, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of impersonating a police officer, threatening to use a dangerous weapon, obstruction of justice and supplying alcohol to a minor.
On Sunday, police say Graf and another man hired two escorts to dance for them at the La Quinta Inn, 1460 S. University Ave.
"The escort explained that Joel did not want to pay them for the dance," a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court states.
One woman went into the bathroom to change. When she came back out, "Joel was sitting with a badge on his lap next to a Glock firearm," according to the affidavit.
Graf allegedly then told the women that he was a U.S. marshal and that he would arrest them for investigation of solicitation.
"The escorts continued to tell them and argue with them that they owed them money. Eventually Joel and (the other man) paid them the fee and the escorts left," the affidavit states.
The women called police. When officers interviewed Graf, he "kept changing his story and lied to me several times about the gun and badge," the arresting officer wrote in the report.
Graf was eventually arrested. Police say he also supplied alcohol to the other male, who was not 21.
