Man Tried To Sneak Gun Into Red Bank Hospital: U.S. Attorney

RED BANK, NJ — A 34-year-old man was arrested after he sneaked a gun into Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank and later tried to pass himself off as a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.

Wesley Rucker, 34, of Tinton Falls, was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of impersonating a federal agent and one count of possession of an imitation badge.

On Oct. 22, Rucker went into the emergency room to be treated and hospital personnel noticed that he had a gun on his waistband, Honig said.

He told hospital security personnel that he was a member of law enforcement and showed them a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identification. He was then asked to store the gun in a locker in the hospital’s security office.

Hospital personnel suspected Rucker might not be affiliated with the DEA and contacted the Red Bank Police Department.

When police officers confronted Rucker, he repeated his claim that he was a DEA agent and showed them the same identification.

The 34-year-old tried to leave the hospital without his gun as officers were investigating his claim.

Police arrested him and seized the fake identification along with a fake DEA badge that he had not used.

Police also found that Rucker was a previously convicted felon who had no prior affiliation with the DEA.

If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearm charge, as well as up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the impersonation charge and up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 for the possession of an imitation badge charge.

Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email catarina.moura@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter here.