CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE - Paul D. Berube, age 54, of Groton, New Hampshire, was sentenced by Judge Paul Barbadoro in United States District Court to probation for one (1) year after having pleaded guilty in February to False Impersonation of an Officer or Employee of the United States.

Mr. Berube admitted that he had posed as an agent of the United States Department of Homeland Security and utilized a dog to search at locations in the Weirs area of Laconia during Motorcycle Week last year.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Mr. Berube forfeited the pistol and ammunition he was carrying when arrested. This is a felony conviction which, under federal law, makes Mr. Berube ineligible ever to possess firearms again.

In commenting on the sentence, United States Attorney Tom Colantuono stated: “Pretending to be a police officer, especially at a crowded event such as Bike Week, puts the public in serious danger, and will not be tolerated.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the New Hampshire State Police, the University of New Hampshire Police Department, the Laconia Police Department and the United States Department of Homeland Security. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Clyde Garrigan.