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.