McDowell County warns of armed fake deputy near Avery line
Deputies warned of an armed man in an unmarked dark SUV with a blue dash light near the McDowell-Avery line, and told drivers to call 911 if a stop feels wrong.
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, a victim said an unmarked dark-colored SUV pulled them over on U.S. 221 North at Linville Mountain near the Avery County line, and McDowell County deputies warned drivers about the fake traffic stop. The suspect vehicle flashed a blue light in the dashboard, and the man behind the wheel carried a gun, a taser and handcuffs.
The suspect was not displaying a badge, and the vehicle lacked proper law-enforcement markings or tags. The stop included an unlawful search of both the driver and the vehicle.
Slow down, stay calm, and if possible pull into a well-lit public place before stopping. Call 911 to verify whether an officer is actually conducting a traffic stop in that area, and do not comply with unusual demands until the officer and vehicle can be identified as legitimate. Drivers should also note the make, model, color and any markings or tags, then report the encounter immediately.
North Carolina law bars anyone from falsely representing themselves as a sworn law-enforcement officer and from using a blue light in a way that suggests police authority. A 1995 state law specifically made impersonating an officer by unlawfully operating a motor vehicle with an operating blue light a felony offense.
Earlier in 2026, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office in West Virginia warned residents about phone scammers posing as law enforcement and demanding payment over alleged court and jury-duty problems. Anyone with information about the June 23 incident has been asked to contact Detective Kyle Gibson at (828) 652-2235, ext. 1222.
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