Big Bear, CA, December 14, 2015 – The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station says a Fawnskin man has been arrested and charged in connection with posing as a federal agent working in the Big Bear area. Police received a report, Tuesday, December 8, of an unknown male identifying himself as a federal agent, brandishing a firearm and fraudulent law enforcement credentials. An investigation was immediately launched and Big Bear Sheriff’s investigators identified the suspect as 38 year old James Fiddler. Fiddler was contacted during a traffic stop on North Shore Lane in the community of Fawnskin. Fiddler was detained and found to be in possession of two loaded firearms, body armor, a counterfeit federal government identification card and several novelty law enforcement style badges. Armed with a search warrant, police detectives located explosive materials used to manufacture explosive devices.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson Detail responded to the location and took possession of the explosive material. Fiddler was booked into the Big Bear jail on several felony charges including weapon possession, possession of a destructive device, and possession of material with intent to manufacture a destructive device. In addition, Fiddler is charged with misdemeanors: impersonating a peace officer, possession of high capacity ammunition magazines and carrying a loaded firearm in a public place. Fiddler is being held on $150,000 bail and is to be arraigned on Tuesday, December 15, in San Bernardino Superior Court.
