Joseph Jefferson, 44, was arrested Friday for impersonating an Austell Police Officer. On May 24, the Douglas County Sheriff's Department was called to Birch Landing Apartments on Maxham Rd. on a domestic disturbance call.

Jefferson identified himself to the responding deputy as an Austell Police Officer who was acting as the courtesy officer for Birch Landing Apartments. Jefferson was a police officer for Austell Police Department who was terminated back in February, according to the Sheriff's Facebook page.

Through Investigator Peter Hoberg's investigation he verified that Jefferson had been gone from the Austell Police Department since February. Also he learned that Jefferson had been subletting his free courtesy officer apartment at Birch Landing to a female since Nov. of 2011. Additional information was received that Jefferson currently has a free courtesy officer apartment at Crestmark Apartments on Thornton Rd. as well.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be forthcoming.

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